During his talks with his German counterpart today, Minister Czaputowicz raised the issues related to the Polish community in Germany and the round table talks. “We expect a fund to be created to enable federal and local authorities to support teaching the Polish language as a mother tongue in Polish community schools in Germany,” stressed Minister Czaputowicz.

The Polish top diplomat also mentioned the construction of the memorial to the Polish victims of World War II in Berlin and emphasized the importance that Poles attach to next year’s ceremonies marking the liberation of Ravensbrück, Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camps. He also expressed his hope that Polish experts will be invited to cooperate in groups dedicated to preserve these memorial sites.

When speaking about the future of the European Union, Minister Czaputowicz said that dedication to a united EU has so far been a pillar of Polish-German understanding and expressed his hope that it will stay this way. The officials talked about prospects for cooperation, also after Brexit.

In the context of the EU’s climate policy, Minister Czaputowicz said that it is very important for Poland to carry out transition to a green economy in a just way that is acceptable to all social groups, specifically those that are most vulnerable to an increase in energy costs. He went on to say that Poland supports the EU’s ambitious budget and promotes the maintenance of traditional cohesion and agricultural policies which help the whole EU grow.

The two ministers also agreed that maintaining strong transatlantic ties and an efficient and effective North Atlantic Alliance is necessary to ensure Europe’s security. They also discussed the situation in Ukraine in the context of the forthcoming Normandy Format Summit and cooperation in the framework of the Warsaw Process focusing on security in the Middle East.

In Berlin, Minister Czaputowicz also had an opportunity to talk to German politicians: Bundestag’s President Wolfgang Schäuble, Brandenburg’s Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke, Co-Chairman of the Green Party Robert Habeck and FDP Chairman Christian Lindner.

A day ahead of the meetings Minister Czaputowicz delivered a speech at Stiftung Genshagen (Genshagen Foundation) about the priorities of Polish foreign policy.

MFA Press Office