Mateusz Morawiecki made the statement after meeting his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson in Stockholm on Monday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The two prime ministers discussed security issues and further support for Ukraine as well as Poland’s backing for Sweden’s and Finland's bids to join the NATO alliance and bilateral cooperation, including through joint infrastructure projects, officials said.
‘Europe is united in face of Russian aggression’
At a joint news conference with his Swedish host afterwards, Morawiecki said that, following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, “Europe is rising to the challenge,” with “almost all countries speaking with one voice that we must look after the security of Europe.”
Morawiecki added: “Poland has argued for years that NATO’s eastern flank is the most key region for the security of the continent.”
He went on to state: “Poland is ready to be the leader on the eastern flank, but we need strong allies in the south and in the north.”
'Poland is unequivocal in its support' of Sweden's, Finland’s NATO bids
Morawiecki declared: “Poland is unequivocal in its support for Sweden and Finland’s accession to NATO,” adding that it should happen “as soon as possible” and “preferably at the same time.”
He added that Poland was using its “good relations with Turkey” to lobby Ankara to approve the move.
Morawiecki also said that "NATO will be stronger with Sweden and Finland as members."
He told reporters that “acquiring new allies in the north of Europe" could mean "a watershed moment for the global security architecture” and "a real game changer."
'Strategic independence'
Speaking about Polish-Swedish relations, Morawiecki said the two countries shared the same perspective on the development of the Baltic Sea region "and on strategic independence.”
He added: “We jointly support all the projects that help boost the independence of the entire European Union and our economy.”
He also argued that "North-South infrastructure links," such as road and railway connections as well as telecoms and energy infrastructure, "represent the future foundations of European development.”
Meanwhile, Sweden’s Kristersson said his country “appreciates Poland’s role in supporting Ukraine and welcoming Ukrainian women and children fleeing the war.”
He described Poland as “an important partner for Sweden, not just when it comes to strengthening trans-Atlantic ties, but also economic relations.”
He also said that bilateral trade was growing, the PAP news agency reported.
Monday is day 355 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, gov.p
Click on the audio player above for a report by Radio Poland’s Agnieszka Łaszczuk.