Unity is the way to resolve the crisis caused by Russia's attack on Ukraine

The Prime Minister stressed that, by attacking Ukraine, Russia had caused a huge crisis that is just developing. It touches on security, energy issues – it is a political and economic crisis in the broadest sense. The head of the Polish government stressed that it was worth asking how to defend onesself against such crises.

”First of all, when we are united, but that also means economic cooperation and investment. The best way out of these troubles would be to take measures that prevent us falling into a further energy crisis," the Prime Minister concluded. 

The Prime Minister noted that Europe had fallen into a "geopolitical sleep" and at that time someone else was furnishing the world for us. The Prime Minister stressed that the actions of European countries should be based on the slogan "one for all, all for one", even if we differ on some issues. 

Sovereignty from Russian energy resources

The head of the government talked with the French Prime Minister about the raw material security of both countries. This is one of the most important topics, especially now that Russian aggression against Ukraine and Putin's blackmail of raw materials is causing an international energy crisis.

"Poland has, to a large extent, secured its sovereignty from Russian raw materials, but I think that many of our partners in the European Union must also show solidarity by moving towards this today, in order to ensure this independence," said the Prime Minister.

During the talks, he proposed that, for the next two years, ETS prices should be frozen at 30 euros or, at least, at a figure close to 30 euros. The second mechanism he suggested was a change to the rules for calculating prices, so that not only the marginal price sets prices for the entire market.

Developing European defence capabilities

Another topic of the meeting was strengthening European defence capabilities.  According to Poland, more ambitious targets for defence spending are needed.

"Together with France, shoulder to shoulder, we are thinking about strengthening Europe’s defence potential. Today, we are not dealing with the end of the war in Ukraine, or even the beginning of the end, which is why our response must be patient, balanced, but also decisive”, the Prime Minister stressed.

The European Commission's proposals for short-term procurement of the most urgent and critical defence products should satisfy our real needs. Financial support from the EC should also cover purchases made by individual Member States. This will enable defensive combat readiness to be restored faster than in the case of joint procurement.

Expanding Polish-French cooperation

In addition to his conversation with President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki also met with representatives of the French employers' organisation MEDEF.

 The aim of the talks with representatives of French business was to use new opportunities to expand Polish-French cooperation. ”This will develop a better and safer Europe”, said the Prime Minister in an appeal to those present at the conference.

During the MEDEF conference, the head of the Polish government emphasised that currently over 1300 French companies benefit from economic stability on the Polish market, infrastructure and qualified employees. He added that if France cares about an economically sovereign Europe, Poland is currently one of the safest havens for investment.

”Poland is the growth leader in Europe. We have been the second fastest growing country in the world since 1990, after China.  Poland’s growth for the last 30 years is not an economic miracle, it is the fruit of the hard work of employees, but French companies have also contributed to this growth. I would like to thank you very much for this”, said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.