The Foreign Minister of Poland, Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk, speaking after discussions with Czech policymakers in Prague, indicated that Prague’s stance—skeptical about opening treaty-change talks within the European Union—aligns closely with Warsaw’s approach. He suggested that treating treaties as a topic of debate could shift focus away from pressing security concerns, notably Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and from economic challenges facing the bloc.
In Prague, the Polish head of diplomacy held talks with Martin Dvořák, the Czech Minister of European Affairs, and Tomasz Pojar, the chief security adviser to Prime Minister Petr Fiala, to explore shared positions and potential paths forward within the EU framework.
During those discussions Szynkowski vel Sęk conveyed that Czech partners view the opening of treaty-change discussions with caution. He noted that this cautious stance mirrors Poland’s own worries about unity within the Union and the risk that such debates could distract from critical security and economic issues it must confront.
Polish support for EU unity
Poland’s position, the minister emphasized, enjoys support from its close partners who share skepticism toward altering EU treaties at this juncture. He urged all who advocate for treaty changes to consider the potential consequences for EU cohesion, stressing that unity is essential while the Union continues to confront major challenges and defend the sovereignty of its member states.
Szynkowski vel Sęk underscored that the powers inSecurity and strategic domains, which are vital to Poland’s interests, ought to remain within the remit of the individual member states. In his view, the tools used to safeguard citizens in key strategic areas—such as border security, energy resilience, foreign policy, education, and health policy—must continue to be regulated at the national level, preserving sovereign prerogatives for each nation.
Dialogue with the Czechs
The Polish foreign minister announced plans to keep engaging Czech partners in Prague on Friday, coinciding with the 15th anniversary of the Polish-C Czech Forum. He also indicated that a meeting with Jan Lipavský, the Czech Foreign Minister who was absent during the midweek visit, would be among the next steps in the ongoing discussions.
Szynkowski vel Sęk added that later that evening he would travel to Vilnius, with intent to proceed to Riga the following day. He indicated preparations for additional visits to other capitals as part of a broader effort to broaden diplomatic contacts.
According to the minister, the objective of these efforts goes beyond mere consultation. He pressed for a more active stance from partners in expressing their views on proposed treaty changes and urged them to participate in the process with robust, constructive engagement.
From his Prague remarks, Szynkowski vel Sęk framed the mission as building a coalition aimed at preserving EU unity around core challenges. He described his current travels as a strategic initiative to gather broad support for a unified approach and to oppose proposals that could undermine the Union’s cohesion. In particular, he referred to a resolution adopted by the European Parliament on November 22 that supported taking another look at EU treaties, signaling the ongoing debate within EU institutions.
The minister stressed that the actions under discussion at the European Parliament’s parliamentary process must be weighed against their potential to fracture European solidarity at a moment when unity is crucial for facing external pressures and internal reform needs. The emphasis remained on fostering a common front that can sustain a strong, united Europe.
Additional context and commentary about migration and border controls were noted in related coverage from regional outlets, highlighting the broader safety and policy conversations that shape EU decision-making on security, migration, and economic resilience. [citation: wPolityce]
Source: internal discussions in Prague and statements by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. [attribution: wPolityce]