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Polish PM speaks out for compromise after talks with French president

PR dla Zagranicy
Paweł Kononczuk 23.11.2017 17:17
Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło said after talks in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday that she was in a favour of seeking compromise on issues that have divided the two countries.
Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło and French President Emmanuel Macron. Photo: EPA/PHILIPPE WOJAZER

Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło and French President Emmanuel Macron. Photo: EPA/PHILIPPE WOJAZER

"We are in a position to find such compromises, solutions that will help in bilateral cooperation, but also on key issues on the EU agenda," Szydło said.

She added that there were differences between Poland and France over Macron’s push for rules to pay "posted" and local workers the same wages.

But she told reporters in Paris: "I declare my full commitment and willingness to cooperate in further work on the mobility package, as part of which decisions will be made on applying rules on posted workers in the road transport sector."

"Without France and without Poland, the reform of the EU in the context of its further development will fail and we must work together in this regard," added Szydło.

Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski, who was accompanying Szydło in Paris, told public broadcaster Polish Radio 3 on Tuesday that the Polish prime minister’s meeting with Macron promised a “new opening” in bilateral relations.

Macron has been critical of the policies of Poland’s conservative government led by Szydło.

In late August, Macron said in a media interview that the policies of the Polish government "undermine the rule of law."

Szydło retorted that Macron “should mind his own country's business” after he attacked Poland for isolating itself within the European Union.

Szydło also said that Poland was democratic and “pro-EU”, and that it was determined to defend important European Union values, including the free market.

(pk/gs)

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