On Thursday, Czech President Petr Pavel and his wife Eva Pavlova began an official visit to Warsaw. The internet pages of “Gazeta Wyborcza” published an interview with the leader of the Czech Republic, entitled: “Czech President Petr Pavel for ‘Wyborcza’: I ask the Poles for more common sense.” This suggests that the Czech president supports the story of Czerska’s editors – the Polish government is bad and has an unwise policy, also internationally. However, the whole interview – although the authors have done their best – does not indicate that at all.
Cooperation and political interests
Petr Pavel arrived in Poland a week after being sworn in as President of the Czech Republic. Prior to the visit, he gave an interview to Gazeta Wyborcza. The first questions concerned the war in Ukraine and the attitude of the West. Pavel indicated that he “cannot imagine calling Vladimir Putin and fully supports Ukraine when it comes to restoring its full sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders”.
He also stressed that “the longer this war lasts, the lower the support for Ukraine will be and the lower the will to continue with it.”
Therefore, I encourage my partners abroad, but also in the Czech Republic, to support Ukraine at the highest possible level. Especially now that Ukraine is preparing for a ground offensive. There is only one chance for such an operation
– emphasized the Czech leader, assuring him of uninterrupted support for Kiev.
Pavel was also asked about Hungary’s attitude. He explained that he had always been skeptical of the Visegrad group “when it comes to foreign and security policy”. He explained that the V4 works well as a discussion forum.
However, I do not think that we should move towards a more integrated foreign and security policy. This will not be possible, because the positions of Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia on Russia and support for Ukraine are very different
the president explained, adding that “we don’t necessarily have to have a common foreign policy”.
Questions about Poland
In the context of Hungary, Pavel was asked about Poland. Certainly, the editors of Czerska expected criticism of a certain party and certain politicians. However, the Czech president simply pointed out that “nothing is given once and for all”.
Things can take a different turn, we need to have a positive attitude and be careful not to let these negative things come to the fore
said Paul.
The next question started with the statement that “in Poland, the government media knowingly use disinformation”. When asked how Pavel wants to combat this phenomenon, he replied: “With openness and transparency.”
“We have a war and a lack of democracy in the European Union, not only in Poland and Hungary, declared “Gazeta Wyborcza”, discussing the crisis in Europe, to which the Czech president pointed out that “there have been periods of peace in history but also of conflicts, wars and crises.”
I see an opportunity in a crisis to go back to the roots and realize that a better future must always be fought, worked and earned
he stressed.
Pavel was also asked about the “threat of German domination in Europe” that emerged in the Polish discussion.
Germany and France are the great national powers of Europe. It is normal for them to try to dominate. But it is our job to create sufficient counterbalance. If we can agree on a position in Central and Eastern Europe between seven, maybe eight countries, then together we will gather enough strength to face the national interests of Germany or France. Such actions do not undermine the European idea. It’s just balancing forces
– explained the President of the Czech Republic.
When asked about his message in Warsaw, Pavel said:
Let’s use common sense more often. Let’s not get bogged down in our procedures. Let’s be more flexible and more willing to find joint solutions in our common interest. There are many partial interests that we sometimes consider essential. But really, it would be better to make some concessions now and then for a greater cause
– said Czech President Petr Pavel.
So how do these words relate to the title of the interview published by “Gazeta Wyborcza”?
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wkt/wyborcza.pl
Source: wPolityce