Mateusz Morawiecki hosted Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš in the Polish capital on Wednesday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The two prime ministers discussed “security issues, bilateral relations and regional cooperation,” according to officials.
Support for Ukraine
Morawiecki told reporters: “It’s always good to talk to countries with a similar view, a similar way of thinking, especially these days, amid the tragic events in Ukraine.”
Addressing Kariņš, the Polish prime minister described Latvia as “not only our friend, but also an ally in many international efforts,” adding that such ties were “extremely important” in efforts “to restore security and peace in the region.”
Both leaders stressed that their countries were “united on many issues," especially "when it comes to support for Ukraine and the vision of its future,” the PAP news agency reported.
Morawiecki also praised bilateral Polish-Latvian ties, including trade, as well as cooperation in many areas, such as digital technology.
“It’s all developing in the right direction,” he said.
'Ukraine must become a member of EU': Latvian PM
This view was echoed by Latvia’s Kariņš, who told reporters that Poland and Latvia were "great friends and allies.”
The Latvian prime minister said that, with Russia waging war on Ukraine, it was important to “stand shoulder to shoulder” and continue to support Kyiv.
He added that one of the challenges facing European allies was how to produce a sufficient amount of ammunition to meet Ukraine’s requirements, as well as the needs of other countries.
Kariņš said that both he and Morawiecki agreed that “Ukraine must become a member of the European Union,” and called for formal talks to begin this year, “even during the war.”
He told the media that when the war ends Ukraine should also be admitted to the NATO alliance.
Poland, Latvia 'stay at forefront in supporting Ukraine’
Kariņš later tweeted: “Thank you, Prime Minister Morawiecki, for the meeting. We will stay at the forefront in supporting Ukraine and urge others to do likewise.”
He added: “Our joint priority is strengthening the security of our region.”
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year, Latvia has been supporting Kyiv, alongside Poland, providing Ukraine with helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, howitzers, generators and cars, among other assistance, the PAP news agency reported.
Poland and Latvia also work closely together in NATO, with Polish pilots taking part on a rotational basis in the western alliance’s Air Policing Mission over the Baltic states, according to officials.
The Latvian prime minister last visited Poland in January last year, meeting with Morawiecki to discuss security issues, European affairs and energy policy, according to reports at the time.
Wednesday is day 385 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, wnp.pl