Nawrocki said after Thursday’s talks that the meeting focused on economic relations, a joint funding program that has financed investments in Poland, and issues linked to the European Union.
He called Polish-Swiss relations “very good for many years” and said both countries shared a commitment to sovereignty, freedom and democracy, which in turn supported “concrete economic solutions and good cooperation in the field of the economy.”
Nawrocki highlighted a Polish-Swiss program that between 2007 and 2017 helped finance numerous projects in Poland, adding that preparations were under way for a second edition.
“Several Polish cities will benefit from this cooperation, from Swiss funds. We know this will happen by the end of the year. Applications have been completed, and the implementation procedure is under way,” he said.
Keller-Sutter said the talks also covered a second stage of funding for cities under the Swiss funds scheme, which is due to be submitted to the Swiss parliament for a decision in March.
The Polish president thanked Switzerland for clearly stating its position on Russia’s attack on Ukraine despite its neutrality, and for reacting to incidents in which Russian drones violated Poland’s border.
He said the discussions also touched on Switzerland’s relations with the EU, his own view on economic cooperation within the bloc, and his concerns about the EU’s approach to issues such as migration and the Green Deal.
Keller-Sutter voiced respect for Poland and recalled that her grandparents took in interned Polish soldiers and civilians during World War Two. She said the two countries enjoyed strong ties and that the purpose of her visit was to discuss shared prospects for the future.
She noted that economic cooperation between Poland and Switzerland had quadrupled in recent years and now also covered culture, science and education.
Talks also addressed economic and security issues, including Europe’s competitiveness and transatlantic relations, as well as the security situation in Europe and Switzerland’s efforts to support peace in Ukraine and the territorial integrity of European states, she said.
“We have common values and perspectives that connect our countries,” Keller-Sutter said, expressing confidence that Polish-Swiss relations would deepen during Nawrocki’s presidency.
(jh)
Source: PAP