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B9 leaders to discuss security with Joe Biden amid chill with Russia

10.05.2021 12:00
Leaders from nine countries on the eastern edge of NATO are on Monday expected to discuss security challenges with US President Joe Biden amid chilly relations with Russia.
Polish President Andrzej Duda during a visit to Bucharest on Monday.
Polish President Andrzej Duda during a visit to Bucharest on Monday.Photo: PAP/Jakub Borowski

The online security consultations, co-hosted by Polish President Andrzej Dudaaim to provide an opportunity to work out a common position for an upcoming NATO summit, Paweł Soloch, head of the Polish leader’s National Security Bureau (BBN), told reporters ahead of the event.

The virtual gathering is expected to bring together presidents from nations referred to as the Bucharest Nine (B9) group: Poland, Romania, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, and Slovakia.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is also expected to take part in the event remotely.

The Polish foreign ministry has said that the Bucharest Nine is a Polish-Romanian initiative launched in 2015 that aims to help exchange views and coordinate positions on the security of NATO’s eastern-flank countries.

Poland’s Duda on Monday morning held bilateral talks with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis during a visit to Bucharest.

Polish President Andrzej Duda (right) and his Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis (left) meet in Bucharest on Monday. Polish President Andrzej Duda (right) and his Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis (left) meet in Bucharest on Monday. Photo: PAP/Jakub Borowski

On Tuesday, the Polish president is scheduled to meet with soldiers taking part in NATO military exercises in eastern Romania.

(gs/pk)

Source: PAP, IAR