In Bucharest on Tuesday, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki highlighted Poland and Romania as strong partners in pursuing shared priorities, including a clear focus on strengthening the small and medium-sized enterprise sector. He underscored the value of close cooperation between the two nations as a cornerstone of their bilateral agenda during the Romanian-Polish Business Forum opening ceremony.
The Polish head of government stressed that a few years ago the North-South cooperation axis looked questionable, but now it has become a fundamental necessity. He called for deepened collaboration across all dimensions, especially infrastructure, economy, social ties, and culture, to unlock broader opportunities for both countries and beyond.
Morawiecki emphasized the strategic role of North-South infrastructure, pointing to Via Carpatia as a top priority. He argued that advancing this corridor will not only deepen economic ties but also create more opportunities in areas such as social and cultural exchange, education, and public services.
According to him, achieving these goals requires a united effort. He noted that there are very few other regional partners who share a similar vision for addressing strategic challenges in Europe and beyond, and he thanked both the Romanian Prime Minister and President for guiding a policy that fosters cohesion, synergy, and practical outcomes for both nations.
Morawiecki also spoke about the Three Seas Initiative, calling it an ambitious and important framework. He argued that the region’s significance has grown in light of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and that this tri-party space—connecting Ukraine, Romania, and Poland—offers real potential for long-term strategic plans. These plans could be economically and commercially ambitious and also include military cooperation and the creation of a robust Central European economic community with more than a hundred million people.
On the topic of Ukrainian grain, the prime minister said both countries are working together to ensure grain can move freely, while the EU supports a trade policy aligned with Ukraine’s and Central Europe’s broader interests, including Poland’s and Romania’s economies. He stressed that defending these strategic interests is a shared responsibility in the face of regional challenges.
Speaking about European diplomacy, Morawiecki suggested that Poland and Romania should speak with one clear, common voice in Brussels. He recalled a time when their interests were not always reflected in European conversations, and he argued that a unified approach would better protect and advance both countries’ concerns in the EU framework. He also highlighted the importance of sustained cooperation in the European arena to advance capital, security, and economic policies that benefit both economies.
Morawiecki further proposed prioritizing the development of small and medium-sized enterprises as a joint effort with Romanian partners. He argued that active collaboration in this sector would strengthen the Polish, Romanian, and Central European economies and help present cohesive proposals in European forums that serve both nations’ growth and resilience.
He cautioned against viewing the European Union as a one-way channel to deliver solutions. Instead, he urged practical teamwork and shared responsibility to ensure that both Poland and Romania shape Europe’s agenda in a way that serves their development goals.
In Bucharest, the Polish prime minister spoke about a formidable ally in the fight for shared interests and the importance of pursuing these interests collectively so that Polish and Romanian businesses can advance their priorities in Brussels. He reminded listeners that the two countries should not let themselves be divided by external pressures but should instead act as a united front to promote dynamic economic ties and strategic projects across the region.
A government delegation led by Morawiecki arrived in Bucharest to participate in intergovernmental discussions and to meet with Romania’s leadership. The lineup includes several ministers, all traveling to reinforce the collaboration on defense, culture, foreign affairs, and development, underscoring the broad scope of the partnership.
The Romanian side highlighted a fruitful 2022 for bilateral commerce and reiterated that trade between Poland and Romania surpassed EUR 11 billion, marking a notable increase from the previous year. The leaders also discussed ongoing economic collaboration, acknowledging inflationary pressures and supply chain disruptions, yet pointing to opportunities for growth through sustained use of European funds and coordinated economic policy, with a shared focus on resilience and investment.
Both governments reiterated their commitment to ongoing intergovernmental talks and to continuing joint efforts in strengthening regional economic links, safeguarding strategic interests, and building a resilient, integrated Central European economy. The dialogue remains open, pragmatic, and future-oriented, with a clear eye on stability, security, and shared prosperity. [Citation: wPolityce]