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Polish, US presidents set to sign defence deal

23.09.2019 07:56
Polish President Andrzej Duda and US leader Donald Trump are expected to sign a military agreement on locations for more American troops in Poland when they meet in New York on Monday.
President Andrzej Duda speaks at a meeting with Polish Americans in New Britain, Connecticut on Sunday.
President Andrzej Duda speaks at a meeting with Polish Americans in New Britain, Connecticut on Sunday.Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka

Krzysztof Szczerski, chief of staff to the Polish president, said last week that Duda and Trump would sign off on the agreement during bilateral talks on the sidelines of a United Nations gathering in New York.

Szczerski told public broadcaster Polish Radio on Friday that the two presidents were originally scheduled to ink the document in Warsaw earlier this month during a visit by Trump for events to mark the 80th anniversary of the start of World War II.

But Trump cancelled his planned trip to Poland at the last minute, saying he needed to stay and monitor Hurricane Dorian as it approached the southern US state of Florida.

Szczerski told Polish Radio that the planned meeting of the two presidents in New York on Monday would include “face-to-face and plenary talks.”

He added that the Polish foreign and defence ministers would also take part in the talks.

The Polish head of state is in the United States on a five-day visit during which he is scheduled to attend a UN climate summit, take part in a high-level debate on religious freedom and address a session of the UN General Assembly.

The Polish presidential couple on Sunday attended a religious service and met with Polish Americans in New Britain, Connecticut.

The United States pledged to deploy around 1,000 extra troops to Poland, a staunch military ally fearful of Russia, under a declaration signed by the Polish and US presidents at the White House in June.

Around 4,500 rotating American troops are already stationed in the country on average as part of a NATO force.

(gs/pk)

Source: IAR