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Poland's FM outlines foreign policy priorities for 2017

Xinhua, February 10, 2017 Adjust font size:

Security policy and consolidating the U.S.-European cooperation are among the priorities of Poland's foreign policy in 2017, Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said here on Thursday when speaking to the Sejm, the lower house of Polish parliament.

Other priorities include taking advantage of mechanisms of bilateral cooperation with the United States, Britain and Germany, pursuing a dynamic regional policy, and expanding Poland's diplomatic presence in the world.

In Waszczykowski's view, Poland's interests did not rule out concern for the future of a united Europe, the security of its borders, its stability, and strong transatlantic relations.

He listed intensive relations with Germany, close regional cooperation within the Visegrad Group, Baltic states, as well as with the Nordic countries as the foreign policy achievements last year.

Regarding the challenges ahead, the minister said: "The future of the EU, which has found itself in an extremely difficult position, is the most difficult task we will face in 2017."

He stressed that all states needed to observe the values and fundamental principles of international law, saying doing so "was of fundamental significance for Poland and our entire region."

"It is the Polish government's priority to repair the European Union (EU) and not to dismantle it," Waszczykowski said.

The minister added that Poland would continue supporting the EU's enlargement. "We still want to share our accession experience with Western Balkans," Waszczykowski stressed.

Regarding the migration crisis, Waszczykowski said he didn't think EU directives would stem the flow of migrants to Western Europe and that it was necessary to deal with the causes of migration and better protect the EU's external borders. He reminded that Poland was sending humanitarian aid and working on border protection towards this aim.

In 2016, the total value of assistance granted by Poland as a response to the conflict in Syria and the migration crisis exceeded 119 million zloty (29.4 million U.S. dollars), he said, adding that the 2017 priority was to offer assistance to Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

The minister said Poland would also strive to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council as of June 2017, continue the country's involvement in anti-terrorist coalition operations, and maintain its commitment to NATO and EU operations. Endit