The Latvian population highly appreciates your personal presence at the celebration of our statehood. I am convinced that this visit will further strengthen political and economic cooperation between the two countries.
We highly appreciate Poland’s contribution to the security of our region and Latvia. Since 2017, Poland has contributed its military units and about 160 soldiers into a Canada-led NATO Battle Group in Adazi, Latvia. Moreover, the Polish air forces have participated in air policing missions in the Baltic States several times. Next year, Poland will be also among those countries ensuring air-policing mission in the Baltic States as well. Poland is also one of the founders of the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence located in Riga.
I would like to thank President Duda for a productive conversation, where we discussed the active bilateral cooperation between our countries, including activities of the Polish diaspora in Latvia. We also had a valuable exchange of ideas about the topical issues of the European Union and on the international agenda.
Latvia and Poland have similar interests regarding Brexit. As there are significant Latvian and Polish diasporas living in the United Kingdom, it is especially important for both countries to secure the rights of their citizens after the United Kingdom leaves the European Union.
Latvia and Poland have a similar position on the EU multiannual budget. Our countries attach great importance to traditional policies such as the Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy. We do not support the current proposal to cut funding for the Cohesion Policy, as it will slow down the convergence of our countries to the EU average living standards. At the same time, Latvia and Poland are in favour of ensuring fair competition in agriculture. This means equalising direct payments to farmers in the European Union. We consider that the proposal of the European Union to reach only 77% of the average level of EU direct payments by 2027 is not a good one.
Simultaneously we recognise the need to anticipate the financing of the EU budget to respond to the new challenges in security, defence, and the strengthening of the EU external borders and to promote innovation and digital development.
During our meeting, we were also discussing the implementation of regional infrastructure projects, for example, Rail Baltica and Via Baltica, as well as the issue of diversifying energy sources in the region. Latvia and Poland have a similar position on project Nord Stream 2. We believe that this issue should be addressed more proactively at the level of the European Union.
Poland is one of the most important foreign trade partners for Latvia for a long time. At the same time, Latvia and Poland have good potential for developing economic cooperation and trade. Latvia sees opportunities for closer collaboration in high added value sectors, especially in information and communication technologies.
For centuries, Latvian and Polish peoples have also been closely cooperating in culture. I am genuinely grateful that the ensembles of the Latvian Polish community will participate in the Centennial Latvian Song and Dance Festival.
Since both countries celebrate the centenary of their independence this year, I would like to take this opportunity and congratulate the Polish people on the century of the restoration of their national sovereignty and wish them prosperity and new achievements in the future.
I am convinced that friendly relations between our countries will continue to develop and flourish!