PM Morawiecki talks Visegrad, COVID, EU and Belarus with Slovak daily

Morawiecki described Polish-Slovak relations as close and expressed satisfaction over the countries’ strong business connections. He said that like other members of the Visegrad Group (V4) – made up of Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary – the two neighbours had much in common, which made them stronger, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Describing Slovak PM Igor Matovic as a dynamic politician and like-minded on many European issues, Morawiecki expressed appreciation for his cooperation and said he expected it to flourish in the future. 

The Polish head of government denied that the Visegrad Group was “clinically dead,” asserting that the opposite was true and that the group spoke with a single voice for the region and praising it as an effective regional forum within the EU. He pointed out that Poland currently holds the group’s rotating presidency and said its priorities were the COVID crisis and dealing with the disruption of supply chains, which he argued could present opportunities for the region to enter a new phase of development, new initiatives being of paramount importance. He gave as examples of the Visegrad Group’s success negotiations for the 2021-2027 EU financial framework and the V4’s proposed economic solutions for Belarus, which the EU has adopted. 

On the subject of opportunities for bilateral cooperation between Slovakia and Poland, Morawiecki said the most important goal is the “intensive, well-planned development of Central and eastern Europe,” which he said required cooperation on many levels. He stated that, particularly in the post-COVID era, common strategies will need to be implemented for the “Europeanization of production, infrastructure and the further reduction of barriers between the two countries, through projects such as the Via Carpathia trans-European transport corridor. 

On the topic of borders, the Polish PM said the most important project was Interreg V-A Poland Slovakia, a multi-million-euro programme aimed at the protection, promotion and development of environmental resources and cultural heritage. Here he highlighted sustainable cross-border transport and the development of cross-border education.

Commenting on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Polish-Slovak relations, Morawiecki admitted the future is hard to predict, even for virologists, but expressed hope that normality would return soon. He went on to highlight data from the European Commission and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development that show Poland will experience the smallest GDP decrease of all EU member states due to the COVID-19 crisis. He added that while constant contact with all partners is necessary due to the seriousness of COVID-19, cooperation with Slovakia is also important and Poland has consulted various solutions with its southern neighbour as well as within the Visegrad Group, giving his assurance that Poland is “aware of the importance of good neighbourly cooperation.”

Turning to the issue of Belarus, Morawiecki said Poland would continue efforts to resolve the situation “in a permanent and stable manner.” In this regard, he pointed to Poland’s solidarity progamme, which aims to support the repressed through easier entry into Poland and access to the labour market as well as scholarships for displaced students and support for independent media and NGO fostering civil society in Belarus. On the subject of Belarusian refugees, Morawiecki recalled that Poland has welcomed about 1.5 million Ukrainians and said common action was required at EU level concerning the possible influx of displaced Belarusians. He said action was essential to the EU’s credibility and went on to argue that the whole western world should get involved.  

Continuing the theme of the EU, Morawiecki defended Poland against criticism at EU level over media freedoms, LGBT rights and the rule of law. He said the amendments Poland had introduced to its judicial system were necessary in order to provide the system with “objectivity and independence.” He asserted that the changes were in line with EU law and were the subject of consultations with the European Commission. “In Europe,” he said, “double standards are being used in assessing the standard of democracy.” Morawiecki pointed out that Slovakia’s rule-of-law situation had also been questioned by the EU and suggested that the Visegrad Group should speak with a single voice on the issue, describing the accusations as “hurtful.” Brussels and western European countries do not understand the post-communist system, he claimed, going on to state that dialogue is the way forward. He also denied that there are any ‘LGBT-free zones’ in Poland, attributing such reports to misinformation by some journalists. “No rights are being violated,” he said. “Everyone is equal.”

On the subject of the EU’s sanctioning Article 7 procedure, launched against Poland in 2017, Morawiecki said Poland was subject to “unintelligible actions by the European Commission.” He said the key issue is that Poland wants to make its judicial system as efficient as those of western countries, but again blamed journalists for peddling false information. 

Still on the matter of the western media, the Polish prime minister closed the interview by defending recently appointed Education Minister Przemyslaw Czarnek against western media reports that he is an “ultra-conservative” who raised the spectre of renewed frictions with the EU.

“Mr. Czarnek is a dynamic politician who as an academic lecturer has many ideas on how to streamline the teaching process in the difficult times of the coronavirus pandemic,” Morawiecki said. “Let the new minister to be assessed for his merits and prove himself in his new work.” (PAP)
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