The chiefs of Polish and Latvian diplomacy discussed European agenda, bilateral relations, the situation of Polish minority in Latvia, economic cooperation, joint infrastructure projects, Eastern policy and security cooperation. Poland demonstrates solidarity to its allies and feels responsible for common security, as evidenced by the presence of a Polish Military Contingent in the Ādaži base in Latvia and regular participation in Baltic Air Policing missions.

The ministers also talked about regional cooperation. “We actively participate in the reform of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, currently chaired by Latvia,” noted the chief of the Polish MFA.  Established at a conference of the region’s foreign ministers in Copenhagen in 1992, the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS), brings together all countries located in the Baltic Sea region (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Poland, Russia, Sweden), as well as Iceland, Norway and the EU.

The ministers expressed their satisfaction with the cooperation between Polish and Latvian institutions within macro-regional strategies. On 12-13 June, Poland will host the 10th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, which will be held in Gdansk. The talks also concerned joint infrastructure projects, including the project of connecting the electricity grid of the Baltic states with the EU, as well as the Via Baltica and Rail Baltica investments. “Our goal is to create modern connections meeting highest standards. These investments are key to the development of our part of Europe,” noted Minister Czaputowicz.

During the meeting, the top diplomats also discussed Eastern policy. Poland and Latvia similarly assess the threats linked in particular with the aggressive Russian policy. This year also marks the tenth anniversary of the launch of the Eastern Partnership, European Union’s foreign policy addressed to six countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. “Poland wants the Partnership to be an attractive form of relations with our close neighbours,” emphasized the chief of Polish diplomacy.

The chief of Latvian diplomacy also met with Deputy Minister Konrad Szymański. During the consultations, the officials discussed current issues on the European agenda.

The new institutional cycle and the strategic EU programme are an opportunity for Poland and Latvia to defend their shared interests, such as further economic convergence, increasing security, strengthening the single market and ambitious approach to the Eastern Partnership,” highlighted Deputy Minister Szymański.

The ministers talked at length about the Multiannual Financial Framework after 2020. The two countries share their positions on many aspects of the MFF.

Deputy Minister Szymański referred to the future of the EU in the context of financial planning by stating that “all current challenges have to be reflected in the next MFF. Higher political ambitions cannot be financed at the expense of the cohesion and agricultural policies. The role of the EU budget will differ for our countries, both Poland and Latvia are getting richer, but we cannot allow the policies which constitute a great added value for Europe to be discriminated against.”

MFA Press Office

Photo Tymon Markowski / MFA