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Our response to Russia’s war is a test of our democratic values: PM

“Our response to the Russian war is a true test to show that we genuinely support democratic values,” Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Monday in Paris during the meeting with the representatives of the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF). He also met with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss rising energy prices, visas for Russian citizens and support for Ukraine.

During his meeting with the French head of state, the Polish Prime Minister discussed EU efforts to stop further Russian aggression, energy security in Europe and potential defence and nuclear energy cooperation.

???? PM @MorawieckiM has already arrived in Paris, where he was welcomed by the President of the French Republic @EmmanuelMacron. pic.twitter.com/3r9cR9MvME

— Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland (@PremierRP_en) August 29, 2022

“Obviously, security is a prerequisite of fast economic growth and that’s why Poland and France, arm in arm, are thinking of ways to strengthen Europe’s defence potential,” Morawiecki said.

He added that the cooperation of the Polish and French defence industries can lead to stronger defence potential of the whole region.

PM @MorawieckiM: Together with France, we are thinking about strengthening Europe's defence capabilities. Today the war in Ukraine is neither nearing the end nor even at its beginning. Therefore, our response must be patient and balanced, but also decisive. pic.twitter.com/2mqYxANlR3

— Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland (@PremierRP_en) August 29, 2022

Dependence on Russian gas

When Mateusz Morawiecki met with MEDEF representatives he argued that EU countries must “face all the challenges of modern times together”. “First the pandemic, then the economic crisis, then the brutal war, in which Russia wants to crush Ukraine and now the risk of an energy and food crisis looming over the horizon. These are the four horsemen of the Apocalypse of our time,” the Prime Minister stressed.

PM @MorawieckiM chaired a meeting with French businessmen in Paris. pic.twitter.com/Rd4kLT7lrO

— Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland (@PremierRP_en) August 29, 2022

The head of the Polish government pointed out that “for too long the low price of Russian gas has been an important value for many countries. Not for France, but for many of our neighbours”. “The real price of cheap gas today is Ukrainian blood,” he stated.

He went on to say that “energy is being used to blackmail the entire continent”.

“If we want freedom, prosperity, then we have to change this dependence we have on Russia. Therefore, I am convinced that the attitude towards Russia’s war is a real test to show whether we really value democratic values,” the PM said.

PM @MorawieckiM: Getting out of addiction is always painful. But if we want freedom, security and prosperity, we must break our dependence on Russia. The attitude towards Putin's war is a test of whether we really have democratic values at heart. #LaREF22

— Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland (@PremierRP_en) August 29, 2022

The head of government pointed out that for years Europe has been divided into Eastern Europe and Western Europe. “Today, the only division that should exist is that between countries focused on peace and development and those focused on war,” Prime Minister Morawiecki emphasised.

A way out of the crisis

“Today there is only one way out of the crisis: close economic cooperation, joint projects and joint investments,” Mateusz Morawiecki said. “Many if not most of these investments should be focused around climate change and projects related to this topic as well as energy efficiency,” he stated.

PM @MorawieckiM: There is one way out of the crisis: it is the way of close economic cooperation, joint projects & investments. A lot should revolve around climate change and energy efficiency, because that is the right answer to the challenges posed by war. #LaREF22

— Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland (@PremierRP_en) August 29, 2022

“We have to become a continent of new investments, new technologies, including nuclear technologies,” the PM said.

PM @MorawieckiM: Joint Polish-French voice will serve to make us safer & to develop appropriate economic solutions that will stabilise the energy markets of the entire EU. pic.twitter.com/AGqInruOde

— Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland (@PremierRP_en) August 29, 2022

Energy prices, visas for Russian citizens and support for Ukraine

According to Mateusz Morawiecki, the European Union has the opportunity to reform the mechanisms that are responsible for the way energy prices are calculated in the European market.

“We should apply price reductions through special measures conducted by the European Commission, for example to the level of EUR 30. Today these prices fluctuate between EUR 90 and EUR 80 and therefore significantly drive up inflation,” the Prime Minister said.

PM @MorawieckiM: Joint Polish-French voice will serve to make us safer & to develop appropriate economic solutions that will stabilise the energy markets of the entire EU. pic.twitter.com/AGqInruOde

— Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland (@PremierRP_en) August 29, 2022

He also emphasised that Poland, together with Finland and the Baltic States, supports blocking all visas for Russian citizens with the exception of humanitarian visas.

“Today is not the time to take advantage of Russian tourists’ money. We have to send a very strong signal to Russia, to all Russian citizens, that their actions in support of Putin are unacceptable,” the head of the Polish government stated.

“Sealing the visa system, shaping it in such a way that Russians cannot enjoy the normal benefits of travel, is the right thing to do,” he added.

#Poland insists that the #EU should stop issuing visas to #Russians, except for humanitarian ones, said Prime Minister Mateusz @MorawieckiM. pic.twitter.com/a4SLFZ46Ty

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) August 29, 2022

The Polish prime minister also told reporters that he had asked Emmanuel Macron for urgent arms deliveries to Ukraine and for more financial support.

The Prime Minister moreover spoke of the difficult situation across Poland’s eastern border and stressed that Ukrainians are also fighting for Europe.

“If we do not support them (Ukrainians) it would mean that we have betrayed them. (…) Poland and France never betray their friends. Betraying them would mean betraying freedom and fraternity, and these are very important ideals, values that are in the hearts of Poles and, I think, also of the French,” Prime Minister Morawiecki said.

The Polish PM then stressed the importance of NATO as a key security guarantor for Poland. He thanked the French President for the role France has in strengthening NATO’s eastern flank.

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