US state secretary, Polish PM, FM meet in Warsaw

The talks centered on security, as well as collaboration in the energy and military sectors.

Speaking at a press conference following the meetings, Tillerson expressed gratitude for Poland’s commitment to earmarking 2 percent of the country’s GDP for security and investment in NATO infrastructure.

He reiterated the US’s stance on the Nordstream 2 pipeline, a planned gas link between Russia and Germany across the Baltic Sea.

“Poland and the United States oppose the Nordstream 2 pipeline,” he said. “We see it as undermining Europe’s overall energy security and stability, and it provides Russia with yet another tool to politicise energy,” he added.

Tillerson said the United States was in favour of diversifying Poland’s energy mix and that US companies would contribute to the growth of the Polish energy sector.

Meanwhile, Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said he hoped that new contracts for the purchase of US military equipment, including Patriot missiles, would be signed in the near future. He added that he counted on strong involvement from the US in modernising the Polish army.

Negotiations are still underway, Tillerson said. “I’m confident that we will resolve all outstanding issues and we’ll have a very good outcome,” he added. “It will leave Poland with a much stronger defence posture as well as contributing to the strength of NATO.”

Tillerson commented on the 73rd anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi German concentration camp.

“We... honour the many heroic actions taken by those who gave shelter to the many [Jews] who were condemned, and put themselves at risk in doing so,” he said.

Saturday marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day. (aba/pk)

Source: PAP, IAR