Poland and Spain have agreed to intensify cooperation in the fields of defence, transport and energy, among other areas, and to continue supporting Ukraine, following intergovernmental consultations in Warsaw on Wednesday.
“We can be on opposite ends of the continent but we get along very well on all issues,” said Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki during a joint press conference with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sánchez, referring to both countries’ positions on such issues as the war in Ukraine and energy security.
“Poland and Spain share a common desire for us to be in a secure environment, for Europe to live in peace, tranquillity, stability and security,” continued Morawiecki. “We have agreed to work together on the fight against inflation, energy policy and many other topics.”
PM @MorawieckiM after Polish-Spanish intergovernmental consultations: We can be on opposite ends of the continent, but we get along very well on all issues. This is the relationship between our governments. We had very fruitful meeting today. pic.twitter.com/ydAKs7vRUy
— Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland (@PremierRP_en) July 27, 2022
The countries declared that they would continue to support Ukraine in its struggle for freedom, independence, security and territorial integrity, including by providing it with the necessary assistance and encouraging the imposition of sanctions against Russia.
“I wish I had the kind of understanding within the EU as a whole that I see on the Spanish side for all the issues that relate to this war,” said Morawiecki.
The Polish prime minister also stressed that both countries are in agreement regarding Europe’s response to anticipated gas supply shortages. Poland and Spain were among the countries to protest a proposal obliging member states to cut gas consumption by 15%.
Sánchez emphasised yesterday, however, that “Spain is a country of solidarity and responsibility” and “will do everything to ensure that Europe is not held hostage to Putin’s energy”.
The two governments also signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of defence as well as a joint declaration between the Spanish transport minister and Poland’s official overseeing the Solidarity Transport Hub (CPK), a flagship government project to create a new “mega airport” as well as road and rail connections.
Last year, during a visit to Madrid by Morawiecki, Poland signed an agreement with Spain to cooperate on the CPK project and pledged to work together to develop Poland’s high-speed rail network. Yesterday, Sánchez expressed hope that Spanish companies would participate in the construction work.
This year’s intergovernmental consultations took place on the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, regulating Polish-Spanish relations after the fall of communism in Poland.
Main photo credit: KPRM (under CC BY 3.0 PL)
Alicja Ptak is senior editor at Notes from Poland and a multimedia journalist. She previously worked for Reuters.
