Czech president visits Warsaw for talks

Thursday's visit to Warsaw will be Zeman's second official trip, after Bratislava, since being sworn in for a second five-year term on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Polish president's office.

“This is very important because it shows a will to continue and strengthen Polish-Czech partnership,” the Polish president's chief of staff Krzysztof Szczerski said.

While in Warsaw, Zeman and Polish President Andrzej Duda are to discuss bilateral ties and regional issues, security, preparations for an upcoming NATO summit, and the future of the European Union.

Szczerski said Poland and the Czech Republic, which both joined the bloc in 2004, have similar concerns about the European Union's budget.

The European Commission earlier this month proposed a EUR 1,135 billion budget for 2021-2027 under which Poland stands to receive EUR 8-10 billion less in EU funds than in the 2014-2020 budget.

Poland benefits hugely from so-called cohesion funds which support investment in European Union member states.

Duda and Zeman are also expected to discuss cooperation within the Visegrad Group – which also includes Slovakia and Hungary – and the Tree Seas initiative, which aims boost cooperation among countries between the Adriatic, Baltic and Black seas.

Zeman is also expected to meet Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and the speakers of both houses of Polish parliament. (vb)

Source: Prezydent.pl, Premier.gov.pl