PM warns Poland may not accept Rome Declaration

"The unity of the European Union, the defence of close cooperation with NATO, strengthening the role of national parliaments and, finally, the principles of the common market, which should not divide but unite. These are the four principles which are a priority for Poland," Szydło told private broadcaster TVN24 on Thursday.

Szydło added that the four points must be included in the Rome Declaration so that it "does not become just an empty document which perhaps sounds nice but will absolutely not contribute to a change in policy in the EU."

EU leaders are due to meet without British Prime Minister Theresa May on Saturday in the Italian capital to mark the 60th anniversary of the bloc's founding Treaty of Rome.

The summit is to issue a Rome Declaration, mapping out a vision of the EU after Britain’s divorce from the bloc.

At a meeting at the palace of Versailles earlier this month, the leaders of Germany, France, Italy and Spain spoke out in favour of a multi-speed Europe after Britain leaves the EU.

Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said in a newspaper interview published on Wednesday that a two-speed Europe would be "a recipe for disaster, division and separation."

He said there cannot be “a hegemony of countries” that impose their will on others.

Polish President Andrzej Duda discussed proposals for Poland’s input to the Rome Declaration at a meeting with Szydło on Tuesday.

The president’s office said in a statement: "The president wants Poland to be an active and positive co-author of a compromise document addressing the main challenges facing the EU."

(pk)

Source: PAP