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Polish PM speaks about Europe at German university

20.03.2023 21:30
Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki gave a speech on the future of Europe at Heidelberg University in Germany on Monday.
Audio
Polands Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki delivers a speech at Heidelberg University in Germany on Monday, March 20, 2023.
Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki delivers a speech at Heidelberg University in Germany on Monday, March 20, 2023.Photo: twitter.com/SzSz_velSek

The speech, entitled "Europe at a Historic Turning Point," focused on the importance of European values in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to Polish government spokesman Piotr Müller.

The Polish Prime Minister's Office said in a tweet that Morawiecki's speech was about "the future of Europe, values that underpin European integration and what must be done to restore security and stability in Europe."

Morawiecki told the gathering that, with Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, "the policy of making deals" with Moscow "is bankrupt."

"Since February 24, 2022, Ukrainians have been fighting daily for the freedom of all of Europe," he said in his speech.

He added: "History is unfolding before our eyes. When our children read their textbooks, they will ask if we did enough to ensure a peaceful future for them."

Morawiecki noted that Poland has taken in millions of Ukrainian refugees who have fled their country in the wake of Russia's invasion.

"Our understanding of European values certainly includes support for a neighbour in need," he said.

The Polish prime minister also spoke about European unity and how Europe can become a global leader when his visited the historic town of Heidelberg in southern Germany on Monday, according to his office.

Heidelberg University is the oldest university in Germany and one of the most renowned in Europe, Poland's PAP news agency reported.

It has 30,000 students, about 20 percent of them foreigners, enrolled in 160 fields of study, according to the Polish state news agency.

(gs)

Source: PAP, IAR, uni-heidelberg.de

Click on the audio player above to listen to a report by Radio Poland's Michał Owczarek.