2024-10-28 14:48 update: 2024-10-29, 14:55
Fot. PAP/Albert Zawada
Radoslaw Sikorski, the Polish foreign minister, and Caspar Veldkamp, his Dutch counterpart, have opened the 33rd edition of the Utrecht Conference in the Netherlands, aimed at deepening cooperation between the two countries in the context of the EU.
The leaders announced on Monday, that the bilateral consultations will touch on collaboration in the economy, system of justice, defence, and trade.
Sikorski said: "The Dutch and the Poles can count on each other in difficult times." He added that both countries see the need to militarily and morally assist Ukraine, as its victory would ensure stability in the EU.
According to Veldkamp, political leaders should follow the motto "Do right and fear no one." He said that Poland and the Netherlands are aware that a strong NATO and EU are necessary to safeguard the countries' national freedoms.
Sikorski said he counts on the new NATO chief, a former Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, concerning the strengthening of the Easter flank, and pledged to focus on the security challenges during Poland's 2025 EU presidency.
The ministers also took part in a class for the Netherlands Defence Academy students on NATO's Eastern flank. (PAP)
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