Prime Minister Ratas: Poland’s participation in the Rail Baltic project is important

Met dank overgenomen van Ests voorzitterschap Europese Unie 2e helft 2017 i, gepubliceerd op maandag 8 mei 2017.

Prime Minister of Estonia Jüri Ratas met with Prime Minister of Poland Beata Szydło today. The meeting focused on bilateral relations between Estonia and Poland, security, energy and transport issues, and the future of the European Union, including the priorities of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Prime Minister Ratas emphasised that the mutual relations between Estonia and Poland were excellent. Poland is the most important and the largest foreign trade partner in Central Europe for Estonia, and the economic cooperation between the two countries is growing every year. Ratas mentioned the cooperation between Nordica airline and LOT Polish Airlines as an example of the close economic connections.

Touching upon the topic of transport, the issues of Rail Baltic were touched upon as well. “I believe Rail Baltic will become a basis for future economic growth in the whole region, and we welcome Poland’s contribution to the project,” the Prime Minister said.

On the topic of security, Prime Minister Ratas said that Estonia and Poland share a mutual understanding of the changed security situation. “We strengthen the security of the region together, and one example of that is joint exercises. So, I would like to thank Poland for actively participating in the exercises in Estonia. And I very much hope to meet with the Polish soldiers at the Spring Storm exercise, which will start today,” the Prime Minister said.

Speaking of the future of Europe, the Prime Minister emphasised the need for unity and decisiveness in the European Union. According to the Prime Minister, it is very important that the European Union proceeds in accordance with the plans agreed upon and the assurances given in Bratislava and Rome.

Prime Minister Ratas also gave Prime Minister Szydło an overview of Estonia’s priorities during its Presidency of the EU Council. “We look forward to contributing to the development of an innovative, secure, digital, and inclusive Europe,” the Prime Minister said.