Latvia and Poland to develop closer strategic partnership - Silina

RIGA - Poland is a reliable friend and a strategic partner of Latvia, and cooperation between the two countries can be expanded further yet, not only in security and defense, but also in financial services and the economy in general, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) said on Thursday after a meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

At a joint press conference of the two heads of government, Silina stressed that this was her first bilateral visit to Poland, and that she and Tusk had already developed successful cooperation in the European Council and other international institutions.

Both prime ministers see great potential for closer cooperation in areas such as financial services, energy and transport, said Sililna. The two countries share the common goal of connecting the capitals of Latvia and Poland by the Rail Baltica railroad, she added.

The two officials also discussed Russia's war in Ukraine and Latvia's experience of banning imports of Russian and Belarusian agricultural products. Tusk expressed his willingness to look into Latvia's decision and assess making a similar decision by Poland, emphasized Silina.

Both prime ministers vowed to continue to be "among the loudest voices" calling for additional military support for Ukraine to help it win the war against the invader.

At the same time, they discussed the need for effective and balanced solutions to farmers' demands in European Union member countries.

The officials also discussed security issues, the need to increase military support for Ukraine and strengthen the EU defense industry, the international situation and developments in Moldova, and joint measures to counter hybrid threats from Russia and Belarus. They also discussed ways to expand economic cooperation and synchronization of the Baltic power grids with those of Europe.

Silina informed Tusk about the Latvia- and Britain-led drone coalition, which has been joined by several countries with the goal to deliver one million drones to Ukraine.

While in Poland, Silina also had meetings with representatives of Bank Pekao and PKO Bank Polski to discuss the Latvian financial services market and potential opportunities for new market players in Latvia.

Silina also laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw and met with the staff of the Latvian Embassy in Poland, thanking them for their professional representation of Latvia's interests in Poland.