Talking about the developments in Afghanistan, the diplomats agreed that the Taliban’s takeover created a new situation in the country. Referring to the alarming security environment, the heads of diplomacy of the Weimar Triangle highlighted the need to maintain the EU’s humanitarian aid there and to cooperate with partners in the region in order to counteract further disintegration of the state and waves of uncontrolled migration.  

We need a dispassionate evaluation of the 20 years of the North Alliance’s engagement in Afghanistan - said the Polish top diplomat said summing up this topic.

The talks also focused on the situation in Belarus, including the crisis on its borders with Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. The top diplomats condemned the Belarusian authorities’ repression against civil society and independent media. They agreed that the current situation at the EU’s border with Belarus was created intentionally by President Lukashenko.

We view the regime’s activities as part of hybrid operations combined with elements of disinformation, which are aimed at destabilising the situation on the EU’s frontier. What matters in this border crisis is European solidarity -  stated the head of the Polish MFA.

The three countries’ foreign ministers expressed their concern about the deteriorating situation of civil society in Russia that is reflected in centralisation of power, elimination of opposition structures, the attempt to murder Alexei Navalny, his arrest, or cyber attacks targeting at Poland and Germany. They suggested that the EU should adopt a unified and consistent approach to counteract such Russian actions. In this context, the officials referred to the recent conclusions of the European Council, which significantly reinforce the EU’s „five guiding principles” towards Russia, i.e. 1. full implementation of the Minsk agreements, 2. closer ties with countries of the Eastern Partnership and Central Asia, 3. strengthening EU resilience to Russian threats; 4. selective engagement with Russia on certain issues of the EU’s interest, and 5. support for civil society and people-to-people contacts.

When discussing the situation in Ukraine, Minister Rau expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the Crimea Platform summit and the declaration adopted by its participants.

We have to make concerted efforts to introduce additional guarantees for the EU’s policy of not recognizing the illegal annexation of Crimea that has already been pursued for years, to become a global policy -  said the head of Polish diplomacy during the talks.

Global issues and prospects for the EU’s development were also on the top of the agenda. The ministers agreed that China is a partner whose growing global impact cannot be ignored.

Poland relies on France and Germany in promoting a coherent strategy of EU-China relations -  stated the Polish minister.

He also expressed his hope for fruitful cooperation with France within the upcoming French presidency of the EU Council. Minister Rau added that the discussion on the EU’s strategic autonomy remains a key matter for Europe’s future.

We believe that strengthening the single market is the best investment in the EU resilience. Further integration and reducing the existing barriers should remain the EU’s priority - underlined the head of Polish diplomacy.

A joint statement by the foreign ministers of the Weimar Triangle was adopted during today’s meeting. Concluding the talks, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. Zbigniew Rau invited his German and French counterparts to Poland for the next meeting in this format.

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The Weimar Triangle was set up in Weimar in August 1991 by the then foreign ministers of Poland, France, and Germany. Its aim was to overcome the divisions in Europe by integrating Poland into European and Euro-Atlantic structures. This objective was achieved when Poland joined NATO and then the EU. Today, the Weimar Triangle is a format for consultations and developing common positions on important European policy issues. This purpose is furthered by political discussions at various levels of government administration. Over the years, the Weimar cooperation was extended to include contacts between Polish, French, and German parliamentarians.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Office

 

PHOTO GALLERY

 

photo: Tymon Markowski/MFA, phototek/Gaertner