UK and Poland discuss closer co-operation

21 Jan 2016 02:06 PM

Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary discuss military, security and diplomatic co-operation with Polish counterparts.

Philip Hammond and Michael Fallon will host Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski and Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz at the annual UK-Poland Quadriga this evening (20th January) at Edinburgh Castle. The ‘2+2’ will discuss issues of mutual interest, such as NATO support for Poland, the Global Coalition fighting Daesh, and joint UK-Poland assistance for Ukraine. The meeting follows an announcement by the Defence Secretary that the UK will contribute a further 1,000 military personnel to NATO exercises taking place in Poland.

The Foreign Secretary said on the meeting of UK and Polish Foreign and Defence Ministers:

The links between the UK and Poland are strong and should continue to strengthen to ensure our prosperity and our security.

In Europe, we agree on the need for the EU to benefit all EU citizens. We also agree on the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia until the Minsk agreements are fully implemented and on the need to support a democratic and prosperous Ukraine.

The UK and Poland are both partners in the Global Coalition against Daesh and will step up efforts to tackle the terrorist threat and to counter Daesh propaganda.

We will continue to work closely with Poland across these and other issues arising during 2016 and as the Prime Minister said on his visit to Warsaw last month, develop the relationship between our countries from good to great.

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