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Poland wants strong EU with larger budget: FM

12.12.2019 08:00
Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz has said his country favours a strong EU with a larger budget.
Jacek Czaputowicz
Jacek Czaputowicz Photo: PAP/Piotr Nowak

Speaking after talks with his Dutch counterpart Stef Blok at The Hague on Wednesday, Czaputowicz said that the Netherlands was seeking to limit its contribution to the EU budget, while Poland was in favour of an ambitious spending plan.

"We are for a strong European Union, a growing role in the world and also a larger budget,” Czaputowicz added.

On the bloc’s future budget, he said: "These negotiations will be difficult, they will last, but it is not a situation in which some party, for example the Netherlands, can impose these restrictions Poland. Here a consensus must be found."

The European Union’s new executive on Wednesday launched an ambitious “Green Deal” policy package to tackle climate change and cut fossil fuel dependence.

Czaputowicz said at The Hague that his coal-reliant country had already made a significant effort in terms of energy transformation.

He added: "Poland will not agree to carry these burdens on its shoulders when it comes to changes in the Polish energy system.

(pk)

Source: PAP