France and Poland Vow Closer Defense Cooperation
07.05.2013 – “We want France and Poland to form a joint defence of Europe,” President François Hollande said after he greeted Poland’s president, Bronislaw Komorowski at the start of a two-day state visit.
Announcing a ‘strategic partnership’ between Poland and France, President Hollande vowed in Paris, Tuesday (May 7th), increased cooperation between the two countries, both politically and economically.
Polish and French ministers of defence are also holding talks, signing a “letter of intent” on closer cooperation in the defence sector, Hollande added.
The French president’s remarks come after prime ministers of Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia, along with President Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met in March in Warsaw and signed up for the creation of a joint EU battlegroup of 3,000 soldiers, which should be operational by 2016.
The force will be deployed for peacekeeping and crisis management missions.
“The Weimar Triangle [formed in 1991 by Poland, Germany and France] can play an important role in building acceptance for the vision of a common European defence system,” President Bronislaw Komorowski said at a joint press conference today.
Komorowski said Poland attaches “great importance of cooperation in the area of security and defence” adding that France can play a vital role in Poland modernizing its armed forces.
On Wednesday, President Komorowski will be taking part in ceremonies commemorating the 68th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, when Nazi Germany unconditionally surrendered after six years of war on the continent. (pg)
– Polskie Radio
