Poolse premier bezoekt Praag in kader van Pools Voorzitterschap (en)

The Czech Republic’s support for Poland’s EU Council Presidency and the two countries’ cooperation in the Višehrad Group are the main topics of the talks Prime Minister Tusk i intends to conduct on Friday during his visit to the Czech capital.

In Prague, the Polish government chief will meet Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas i as well as the President of the Czech Republic Václav Klaus i.

Owing to the specific nature of the visit, taking place as it is during Poland’s EU Presidency and the Czech Republic’s chairmanship of the Višehrad Group, its formula has been expanded. The Polish Prime Minister will be accompanied by his ministers due to meet Czech government representatives. They will hold separate consultations and discuss Polish-Czech cooperation in the field of foreign affairs, defence, economy, infrastructure and regional development.

Apart from the current European agenda (combating the crisis, the future EU budget, reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and energy security), discussion will also touch on joint investments in the Central European region and the expansion of road, rail and water links.

The Czech Republic is one of Poland’s leading trading partners. According to Economy Ministry data, Polish-Czech trade in 2010 achieved a level of some €12 billion. In their bilateral relations, of growing importance is their cooperation in the energy sector, as exemplified by the construction of a gas inter-connector on the border between the two countries (Skoczów - Cieszyn - Trzanowice).