2019-11-20 20:39 update: 2019-11-23, 11:06
Jacek Czaputowicz. Photo PAP/Tomasz Gzell
There are no substantial grounds for French President Emmanuel Macron's criticism of NATO, Poland's Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said on the sidelines of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels on Wednesday.
Czaputowicz's remark came after Macron's recent warning that the U.S.-led military alliance was experiencing "brain death" due to failing US leadership.
Asked whether this issue was raised at the meeting, Czaputowicz said he got the impression that there were "calls for unity in the face of the threat posed by Russia."
Czaputowicz noted that Macron's interview for The Economist was certainly noticed and critically received. He added that during the Wednesday meeting he drew attention to increased US military presence on the Alliance's territory, noting that this fact contradicted the thesis about the alleged lack of US interest in European security.
"I think there are no substantial grounds for criticism of the North Atlantic Alliance as presented by President Macron," said the Polish minister.
Czaputowicz added that the Wednesday meeting focused on preparations for the NATO summit in London, which is scheduled for December 3-4. The summit is to be devoted to the Alliance’s effectiveness. (PAP)
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