Polish president: ‘We don't accept an obligatory quota system for migrants'
Speaking at the opening of the 25th Economic Forum in the southern polish town of Krynica on Tuesday, Polish President Andrzej Duda said much is being said in Europe about how to address the migrant influx but not enough is being said about how to liquidate its causes, which, in his opinion, are terrorism, wars and economic conditions. Underlining that firm steps should be taken against organized human trafficking, Duda also addressed what he considers are Europe's main problems: The eurozone crisis, growing migration, the war in Ukraine and the marginalization of Poland and Central Europe's point of view.
Regarding the conflict in Ukraine, Duda admitted that the Minsk Agreement brought some positive results but failed to end the conflict. "Taking into account both the future and the necessity to avoid dangerous precedents, this conflict should end with lasting peace and not as a frozen conflict. And this requires a return to the former status quo," he said.
Underscoring that the EU should be a union based on partner-like relations that respect each other and recognize mutual interests, Duda said: "The EU should be a union of sovereign national states." Unity, security and freedom are of the utmost importance for the EU's future, he added.
Touching upon decisions on Poland's access to the euro zone, he said this decision should be decided in a referendum. "The limitations of a member country's sovereignty for the benefit of the EU should be decided by its citizens," he stressed.
The Polish president also said he would not accept "the dictate of the strong" and "a Europe where economic and population factors would be the reason for the arbitrary imposition of solutions on other countries without taking their national interests into account."
According to Duda, Europe is helpless in the face of certain problems, such as demography, and he described the falling birth-rates as "a bad omen" for Europe's future. "Falling birth rates in EU countries, in Western Europe, in Poland … are a very bad omen for the future. And today this is also a challenge for Poland and the entire EU," he said, stressing that this negative trend has to be reversed.
The 25th Economic Forum in Krynica will continue until Friday. More than 200 experts and politicians are attending the summit in order to discuss various topics from energy security to healthcare and regional issues.
Regarding the conflict in Ukraine, Duda admitted that the Minsk Agreement brought some positive results but failed to end the conflict. "Taking into account both the future and the necessity to avoid dangerous precedents, this conflict should end with lasting peace and not as a frozen conflict. And this requires a return to the former status quo," he said.
Underscoring that the EU should be a union based on partner-like relations that respect each other and recognize mutual interests, Duda said: "The EU should be a union of sovereign national states." Unity, security and freedom are of the utmost importance for the EU's future, he added.
Touching upon decisions on Poland's access to the euro zone, he said this decision should be decided in a referendum. "The limitations of a member country's sovereignty for the benefit of the EU should be decided by its citizens," he stressed.
The Polish president also said he would not accept "the dictate of the strong" and "a Europe where economic and population factors would be the reason for the arbitrary imposition of solutions on other countries without taking their national interests into account."
According to Duda, Europe is helpless in the face of certain problems, such as demography, and he described the falling birth-rates as "a bad omen" for Europe's future. "Falling birth rates in EU countries, in Western Europe, in Poland … are a very bad omen for the future. And today this is also a challenge for Poland and the entire EU," he said, stressing that this negative trend has to be reversed.
The 25th Economic Forum in Krynica will continue until Friday. More than 200 experts and politicians are attending the summit in order to discuss various topics from energy security to healthcare and regional issues.