The integration process within both the EU and the Western military alliance should cover more countries, Duda said on Wednesday, addressing parliamentary Speakers from a host of Central and Eastern European countries meeting in Warsaw.
Duda declared that “Poland is open to and will support” the aspirations of many countries in the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe to join the two international organizations.
Strengthening cooperation
The Polish president also said that Central and Eastern European countries are strengthening cooperation in response to problems emerging on the international arena.
These problems include "aggression" and "distrust" in relations, he said.
CEE countries are tightening cooperation at various levels, according to Duda, including “the presidential level and the level of prime ministers, ministers and parliament leaders”.
This cooperation is “an extremely important element” of international politics, he said.
Closer ties
Closer ties among countries in the region are also “an important element of building bonds among our countries and peoples", the president added.
Senior parliamentarians from Central and Eastern European countries gathered in Warsaw on Wednesday to debate regional security and strengthening ties at a two-day summit.
More than 20 representatives from countries including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Turkey, Ukraine and Hungary were among those taking part in the meeting.
The summit has been organized by the Speakers of the Polish Sejm, the lower house, and the Senate, the upper chamber of parliament.
According to Polish Senate Speaker Stanisław Karczewski, the meeting aims to strengthen cooperation in the region and define the role of parliaments in international politics.
The summit was also expected to discuss issues such as regional security and infrastructure. (str/pk)