Poland's European Affairs Minister Konrad Szymański met Britain’s Minister of State for Europe Christopher Pincher in Warsaw at the end of last week to discuss the situation of Poles in the UK and British citizens living in Poland, the ministry said.
The talks also covered future trade relations between the United Kingdom and the European Union, as well as security issues.
Pincher’s visit came days after Britain formally left the EU on January 31 and followed a speech by Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlining his vision for future EU-UK relations.
The Polish foreign ministry said the meeting provided an opportunity to outline expectations for future economic cooperation between the EU and Britain, adding that Poland supports a broad-ranging free trade agreement.
"Our objective is for this agreement to be of the most ambitious nature," Szymański was quoted as saying.
A transition period following Brexit is set to run until December 31. After that, EU citizens will need settled status to remain in the UK.
About 400,000 of the estimated 900,000 Polish citizens living in Britain have yet to apply for settled status. EU citizens have until June 30, 2021 to submit their applications.
Britain’s ambassador to Poland has urged Poles in the UK not to delay applying.
A Polish deputy foreign minister said last month that Britain’s departure from the EU would not significantly affect Poles living in the UK or Polish companies operating there.
(gs)
Source: gov.pl