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Poland, Portugal aim to strengthen EU unity amid Russia’s war on Ukraine: PM

20.05.2022 13:00
Poland’s prime minister on Friday hosted his Portuguese counterpart for talks in Warsaw on European security and the free world's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to officials.
Polands Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki (right) and Portugals António Costa (left) meet in Warsaw on Friday, May 20, 2022.
Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki (right) and Portugal's António Costa (left) meet in Warsaw on Friday, May 20, 2022.PAP/Marcin Obara

Poland's Mateusz Morawiecki and Portugal's António Costa met as the two countries marked a century of diplomatic relations, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

EU, NATO unity

At a joint news conference afterwards, Morawiecki said: “We must do everything to ensure that Russian forces leave Ukraine as soon as possible.”

He stressed that “this requires unity in the European Union and NATO,” adding: “Poland and Portugal are working hand in hand to maintain this unity.”

'We need to go further in terms of sanctions'

The Polish prime minister also stated that Poland and Portugal "shared the view" that Europe must renounce Russian energy imports.

"We need to go further in terms of sanctions," he added.

Morawiecki went on to say: “Our countries are located on two ends of the continent, but our meeting shows the unity of Europe that we have not seen for a long time.”

He added: “I am pleased that, together with Portugal, we are strengthening European unity and looking for the best solutions for Europe in terms of finance, economy and security, so that Europe is a real global player on the world stage.”

'Full solidarity, ... admiration for Poland'

Meanwhile, Portugal’s Costa expressed “full solidarity, but also admiration for Poland, for the way it has supported Ukraine, for the way it has welcomed refugees, and also for the measures it has taken to ensure energy independence,” the PAP news agency reported. 

Friday is day 86 of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Poland on Friday reported it had welcomed almost 3.5 million refugees fleeing Russia's war on Ukraine.

(pm/gs)

Source: PAPtvpparlament.pl