NEWS

22/05/2020

14:22

Steinmeier Congratulates Polish Authorities on Effective Strategy Mitigating Pandemic's Health Impact. PAD Discusses with German President.

Michał Olech

A phone conversation between the Presidents of Poland and Germany lasted for an hour today. This was another in a series of talks President Andrzej Duda has had with foreign partners concerning the future of the economy and European policy in the context of the coronavirus pandemic - informed Krzysztof Szczerski, Head of the Presidential Cabinet, to 300POLITYKA.
"President Steinmeier congratulated the Polish authorities on an effective strategy to limit the health consequences of the pandemic. The Presidents discussed concepts for European cooperation in health security, presented in the President's letter to European leaders, emphasizing the need to strengthen European self-reliance and solidarity in situations of health threats, especially concerning the production of essential protective materials and medical equipment. The Presidents devoted significant attention to economic issues. Both agreed that the key task today is to maintain the financial liquidity of companies and to work towards preserving jobs. To achieve these goals, public support is necessary, as is happening today in both Poland and Germany. Preventing a deep recession in Europe must, in the Presidents' opinion, be supported by initiatives at the EU level. In this context, President Duda conveyed Poland's position on the German-French proposal for a Recovery Fund. Poland responds positively to this proposal, but we believe that the key elements in evaluating this project will be the details concerning financing sources, the principles of fund allocation, and the nature of the aid. Poland is ready to actively engage in developing these details through dialogue with other capitals. The Presidents also discussed the necessity of cooperation within international organizations."

Michał Olech