We must solve the problem of Ukrainian grain and transporters so that it does not cloud the overall picture of Polish solidarity with Kiev, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said on Sunday at the Munich Security Conference..
Sikorski on the protests of farmers and transporters
Poland is among the leading countries helping Ukraine, but farmers and transporters are the two groups “paying the most direct price” for European solidarity, said the minister, who took part in the panel together with Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna.
That is why we need to solve this so that the overall picture of Polish solidarity is not clouded
– said Sikorski.
We’ve talked about this at length and one thing is certain: it needs to be resolved
– said the Deputy Prime Minister.
Sikorski emphasized that “the problem is structural” and that “Ukraine was admitted to the internal market under the pressure of events without any conditions and transition periods”, although it seemed that such solutions would have to be negotiated.
There is a solution on the horizon: it is a Ukrainian victory in the Black Sea
– he said, referring to the transport corridor that Ukraine managed to create despite the Russian blockade of the Black Sea.
If Ukraine regains control of the western Black Sea, it will also help solve this problem
– he assessed.
The position of the Ukrainian side
As Stefanishyna said, both sides have their legitimate reasons, but Ukraine has contributed to solving the problem by securing the Black Sea corridor and controlling exports to neighboring countries.
We have to find a solution and we are all determined
– she said.
Sikorski noted that there is “noble competition” in the EU over who supports Ukraine the most, and Poland, which has taken in more than a million Ukrainian refugees and supports this country militarily and financially, aims to be the best partner.
Our German allies say they spend the most in absolute terms, the Baltic countries say their military support per capita is the highest. We argue that if we add it all up – refugee aid, military aid, financial aid, we are helping the most.
– argued the minister.
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Discussion about abandoning the unanimity rule
Referring to possible changes to the decision-making procedure in the EU, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that “on enlargement the veto will remain forever”, but discussions are ongoing on where the unanimity principle could be abandoned .
We discuss where unanimity makes sense and where it might be abandoned
– he declared.
He added that before the Treaty of Lisbon, the Nice system was in place, under which “Poland had only one vote less than France or Germany.” Currently there is a double majority system, which means that France and Germany together could very easily have a blocking minority.
The lack of unanimity does not necessarily mean the current double majority, but, for example, one member – one vote. Or, for example, that very large countries have three votes and smaller countries have fewer. The EP proposed the 4/5 majority rule. We need a fair system that reflects the wishes of Europeans and does not favor anyone
– added.
The head of Poland’s Foreign Ministry also appealed to Georgian authorities – through President Salome Zurabishvili, who participated in the panel – for “fair treatment” and to contribute to the release of former President Mikheil Saakashvili, who is in prison.
Saakashvili was convicted of “abuse of power” while in office during the rule of his political opponents from the Georgian Dream party. He believes he has been the victim of political revenge.
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wkt/PAP
Source: wPolityce