Mateusz Morawiecki made the assessment at a media briefing in Brussels, Belgium, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Tuesday's 2023 EU-CELAC summit focused on further strengthening the partnership between the EU and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as ways “to achieve fair green and digital transitions, and demonstrate a shared commitment to upholding the rules-based international order,” according to officials.
The Polish prime minister told reporters in Brussels: “The summit between the EU and Latin American and Caribbean States is politically and economically significant.”
Morawiecki went on to say: “When it comes to economic issues, the EU-CELAC summit is important mainly because we have to look after the interests of our food processing sector ... We also have a lot of shared interests with Latin America in the field of mineral resources.”
The Polish prime minister told reporters: “We’ll be also working to ensure that the principles of international trade are complied with. Polish food producers should not meet higher requirements than producers from Latin America or other parts of the world.”
He added: “In this context, the trade agreement between the European Union and Latin American countries still needs a lot of work.”
‘Russia continues its colonial policy’
Morawiecki also told reporters: “For us in Europe, it may be hard to believe, but in Latin America, Russia is considered by many to be a peaceful country.”
He added: “Latin American countries suffered from colonialism. Russia continues its colonial policy today. I think that such a comparison might appeal to Latin American leaders.”
Morawiecki declared: “We must not allow anyone to break international law. Those who break international law should be excluded from the international community.”
On the sidelines of the 2023 EU-CELAC summit, the Polish prime minister met with the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, around noon on Tuesday, his office said.
The two leaders discussed the history of mutual relations, prospects for economic and political cooperation, raw materials and energy issues, and Poland's EU presidency” in 2025, according to officials.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Tuesday is day 510 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, ec.europa.eu