Polish president addresses UN, talks to Trump
PR dla Zagranicy
Grzegorz Siwicki
20.09.2017 10:30
As he continues his US trip, Polish President Andrzej Duda on Tuesday addressed the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly and met US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania in New York.
President Duda speaks at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka
In his UN speech, Duda thanked member countries for electing Poland as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2018-2019 and said that Poland would bring values to the institution such as attachment to freedom and respect for international law.
"Choosing Poland as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the period 2018-2019 reflects the growing potential and involvement of my country for the sake of ensuring international peace and security," Duda said.
He also said that international law was "the only effective mechanism to preserve peaceful relations among nations."
Later in the day, the Polish president took part in a debate of world leaders and held a series of bilateral meetings, including those with the leaders of Ukraine, Lithuania and Armenia.
Talk with Trump
At the end of the day, Duda attended a dinner given by the US president for leaders taking part in the UN summit.
"This traditional function was an opportunity for a meeting between President Duda and President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump," Duda's chief of staff, Krzysztof Szczerski, told reporters.
He said that during the brief talk, the US presidential couple recalled their recent visit to Poland and said they were impressed by Warsaw and the warm reception they received from the Polish people. President Trump said that these memories came back as he spoke at the UN General Assembly, according to Szczerski.
Duda and Trump also talked about Poles living in the United States, with Trump mentioning the support that Polish Americans gave him during his election campaign, Szczerski told reporters.
Duda also had an opportunity to meet with US Vice President Mike Pence, with whom he was sharing a table at a luncheon hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Szczerski said.
He added: "We have a very good Polish-American day behind us.”
Duda’s Wednesday schedule across the pond includes meetings with American businessmen and Poles living in the United States. (gs/pk)
Source: IAR, PAP