Speakers of Polish, Swedish parliaments meet to discuss Eastern Partnership

The speakers of Polish and Swedish parliaments met in Poland on Monday to discuss issues including Eastern Partnership and European Union(EU) security, among others.

During a press conference after their meeting in the south-eastern Polish city of Przemysl, the Marshal of Poland's lower house (Sejm) Marek Kuchcinski said the main reason for inviting his Swedish counterpart Urban Ahlin was to acquaint him with the realities of the eastern border of the EU and try to come up with new ideas to facilitate the movement of persons and goods across it.

Kuchcinski said the current migrant crisis had forced the members of the Schengen Area to rethink border policies. He also urged Ahlin to cooperate in the reform of the Eastern Partnership because, in his words, "it is in crisis and requires new inspiration."

Ahlin agreed with Kuchcinski that the issues of the Eastern Partnership should be raised on the international arena.

The lifting of visas for Ukrainians and citizens of other countries participating in the Eastern Partnership scheme was also on the agenda and both parties agreed that it would require the approval of other EU member states.

The Eastern Partnership program was launched in 2009 and forms an important part of EU's foreign policy. It works within the European Neighborhood Policy and currently the EU, its member states, and another six countries -- Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine -- take part in the initiative. Its aim is to improve cooperation and bring its participants closer to the EU. Endit