Polish FM appeals to UK counterpart to protect rights of EU citizens following Brexit

In a telephone conversation on Wednesday, Johnson informed Waszczykowski that the United Kingdom had notified the European Council of its invoking of Article 50 of the Treaty on the European Union.

Emphasising the contribution that Polish people have made to UK society and the economy, Waszczykowski called for "the rights of all EU citizens living in the UK to be accorded explicit and legally binding protection", a ministry statement said.

The ministers spoke about current bilateral issues, including security policy in the context of the arrival of UK troops in Poland as part of a NATO mission to strengthen the Alliance's eastern border.

The ministry said that the politicians "welcomed the strategic nature of bilateral relations, as evidenced by such unique events as the first intergovernmental consultations in London attended by the prime ministers last November and the first Polish-British Belvedere Forum in Warsaw, which brought together non-governmental and expert communities".

They also noted the "high value of trade between Poland and UK, which is Poland’s second largest trade partner in Europe".

Waszczykowski expressed his condolences and solidarity to Johnson over the terrorist attack in London on 22 March. (rg/pk)