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Minister Zbigniew Rau visits Estonia

31.01.2022

“Estonia is Poland’s important partner and ally in the region. We share the same aspirations and interests. The current security situation in the nearest neighbourhood requires that we enhance our cooperation and coordinate our actions even further,” underscored Poland’s Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau after a meeting with his Estonian counterpart Eva-Maria Liimets.

Minister Zbigniew Rau visits Estonia

On 31 January, Minister Zbigniew Rau paid a visit to Estonia, where he met with Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets, President Alar Karis, and Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.

The talks with Estonian chief diplomat focused on further advancement of bilateral collaboration, security in the region, developments in the Eastern neighbourhood as well as cooperation in the field of energy and within the Three Seas Initiative.

The ministers agreed that Polish-Estonian relations are excellent and we have similar positions on numerous issues. Both sides are determined to continue the mutually beneficial collaboration, both bilaterally and within regional and international organisations.

High on the agenda were security issues as well as tense situation in the region triggered by Russia’s aggressive attitude and rhetoric. “The build-up of Russian troops at the border with Ukraine accompanied by Kremlin’s political offensive, aggressive rhetoric, hybrid activities and energy blackmail is generating the most serious crisis in the region since the Cold War”, assessed Minister Rau. The top diplomats agreed that the situation needs to be addressed in the spirit of solidarity, and the response must be decisive and include further arrangements regarding sanctions. It is also necessary for the EU to closely coordinate its actions with NATO and the US. Minister Rau highlighted that Poland as a country chairing the OSCE in 2022 is ready to support dialogue to mitigate tensions in the region.

The talks  covered developments in Ukraine, Belarus, and Georgia, as well as energy cooperation, including the Nord Stream 2 and the Fit for 55 package.

Also discussed was regional cooperation, especially within the Three Seas Initiative. The head of Polish diplomacy thanked Estonia for the country’s engagement in developing the Initiative and for Tallinn’s leading role in the 3SI’s digital component.

While in Estonia, Minister Rau awarded the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland to Siim Kallas, former Estonian Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Foreign Affairs Minister who also held the post of the European Commission’s Vice-President.

 

Łukasz Jasina
MFA Press Spokesperson

Photo: Sebastian Indra/MFA

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