EU talks on PM Tusk's agenda in Prague

Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas (L) and his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk inspect the honour guard during a welcoming ceremony in Prague, Czech Republic, 15.07.2011. Photo: PAP/EPA/Filip Singer

The programme of Mr. Tusk’s one-day visit includes a presentation of tasks set for Poland’s EU presidency, cooperation within the Visegrad Group, especially concerning European energy security, as well as economic related matters.

One of the dominant topics on the agenda are preparations for the Eastern Partnership Summit, planned in Warsaw for the end of September.

Premier Tusk is accompanied in Prague by a group of ministers responsible for defence, economy, infrastructure and regional development, who are holding inter-departmental talks with their Czech opposite numbers and expert teams.

Spokesman for Poland’s EU Council presidency, Konrad Niklewicz told Polish Radio that Warsaw holds much interest in developing bilateral cooperation in these spheres with its southern neighbour.

Niklewicz added that priority has been given to forging common stands on issues of greatest current European importance, namely countering the spreading crisis, drafting the annual EU budget and long term financial perspectives, strengthening energy security, defining external European policy and supporting the production of healthy food.

Equally important is the further development of bilateral economic cooperation. Last year trade turnover between the two countries stood close to 12 billion euro with the Czech Republic placing 6th on the list of Polish foreign partners, and Poland as the third largest for its Czech neighbour. (ss/jb)