The ministers discussed the major European issues, including the EU’s future, Brexit, elections to the European Parliament, EU’s new financial perspective, deepening the single market, and the European Neighbourhood Policy, including the developments in the EU’s immediate neighbourhood. Other items on the agenda included migration, security policy, trans-Atlantic relations and cooperation in the UN.

The ministers highly praised the state of Polish-Spanish relations and reiterated their interest in deepening political dialogue, taking advantage of permanent mechanisms such as bilateral intergovernmental consultations and parliamentary meetings. They expressed their intention to strengthen cultural, scientific and economic links, also as regards investments. Trade volume between Poland and Spain has been increasing steadily. In 2018, it achieved the record level of EUR 10.7 billion. The value of Spanish investments in Poland also goes up, exceeding EUR 12 billion. At the same time, Polish investors show a growing interest in the Spanish market, where Polish businesses operating in automotive, chemical, pharmaceutical and IT industries are already active. The high tech sectors, such as biotechnology, automatics or modern power engineering offer new prospects for cooperation.

“Poland and Spain are two prominent European Union Member States which should cooperate. Together, we can enrich the European project. European integration should not be limited, or based exclusively on German-French cooperation. For the European project to be full-fledged, medium sized countries such as Spain and Poland need to have ambitious plans,” said Minister Jacek Czaputowicz at a joint press conference following his meeting with Minister Josep Borrell Fontelles.

The Polish and Spanish foreign ministers confirmed the need to continue the process of streamlining the EU’s work, specifically in the context of a new EU institutional cycle. They argued that considering the multitude of challenges that the EU is facing, it was of particular significance to sustain the unity and cohesion of the Members States. The officials agreed that it was important to develop cooperation with countries from the EU’s Eastern and Southern neighbourhoods. 

“Our countries are situated literally on both ends of the continent. We look at Spain when we need to decide on our involvement in Latin America, as recently in Venezuela,” said Minister Czaputowicz. “On the other hand, we are eager to share with Spain our experiences with regard to the European Union’s Eastern neighbourhood and we act in unison to enhance our presence. It is important to note that Polish and Spanish troops are deployed in Latvia as part of NATO’s enhanced presence,” said the Polish top diplomat.

In the context of Poland’s membership of the UN Security Council in 2018-2019, the chief of Polish diplomacy confirmed the will to work hand in hand with Spain at the UN, in particular in matters regarding the promotion of international law, conflict prevention and fighting new threats to international peace and security.

Josep Borrell Fontelles, Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation, paid a visit to Poland at the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs Jacek Czaputowicz. The visit is held in the year which marks the centenary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Poland and Spain.

During his visit, Spain’s foreign minister met with the representatives of the major Spanish companies operating in Poland. He also delivered a lecture on “Europe at the crossroads: Spain’s Perspective” at the College of Europe in Natolin.

 

MFA Press Office

 

Photo Gabriel Piętka / MSZ