This is not an alliance of losers.” Deputy Foreign Minister on Morawiecki’s Visits to the Baltic States

European unity is preserved. The decision by the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council to impose sanctions was made not so long ago on Monday. The fact that Chancellor Angela Merkel is looking for some contacts at the same time (with Lukashenka – editor’s note) This is a slightly different matter – The deputy head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained. I think Merkel was aware of the risks involved in her actions. You made this decision and not any other decision and take full responsibility for it. As a Polish government, we are aware of these conversations, have not been consulted and are not responsible for their effects – added.

This was the agreement with Prime Minister Babis. It turned out later that the other party wasn’t much interested in finalizing this agreement – said Marcin Przydacz in the online part of the morning conversation at RMF FM, when asked about talks with the Czechs regarding the mine and power plant in Turów. Today, other people in the Czech Republic will be governed by other people, I think is more flexible and open, but also understand the political and international context of this situation – The Deputy Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added. I hope that this agreement will be reached within the next few weeks of the formation of the Czech government. We will find an agreement with the Czechs. There will be a new government, there will be a new partner Przydacz confirmed.

The program also asked whether Poland was ready for another conflict with Brussels over changes to the Polish justice system. Certainly, if there are other bills for this reform, we will keep our European partners informed, but in the spirit of building a peaceful dialogue around it. Let us remember that the issue of judicial reform is the exclusive jurisdiction of Member States Przydacz replied.

Robert Mazurek, RMF FM: Marcin Przydać, Deputy Secretary of State is with us. From your house and not from the plane?

Marcin Przydać: From my house, although yesterday evening I accompanied the Prime Minister on the plane during his visit to the Baltic States.

Three countries in one day.

This is correct. So decided the Prime Minister and his counterparts. We need urgent and joint consultations on what is happening – not only on the borders of our three countries with Belarus, but in the region in general in the context of the security situation, as reported by international news agencies, but also by the President of the Union. Ukrainian intelligence – I say here, of course, about the increased activity of Russia around Ukraine.

I was with the Prime Minister of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. This is a bit like building an alliance of losers. It seems that Lukashenka defeated us all – he made an agreement with the Germans, got money and perhaps the sanctions against Belavia will be lifted.

There is no indication of that, sir. This is not an alliance of losers. It strengthens the alliance of the eastern wing of NATO, the countries most at risk, and at the same time, interested in taking further action towards our eastern neighbours. That is why the Prime Minister began to strengthen this alliance with the Baltic states. Tomorrow there will be a meeting with V4 on security issues, followed by further visits – already in Western Europe. V4 or the Visegrad group.

Only a diplomatic attack is supposed to strengthen our neighbors, but they are still convinced that Lukashenka is a serious problem. Isn’t it a more serious problem to convince our Western partners – Germany and France – that what is happening is a serious matter and should not be dealt with above our heads with Lukashenka?

Let us remember that European unity is preserved. The decision by the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council to impose sanctions was made not so long ago on Monday. The fact that Chancellor Angela Merkel is looking for some contact at the same time (with Lukashenka – editor’s note) is a slightly different matter. The decisions of the European Union are in force, as is the position within NATO.

“Any talks with Mr. Lukashenka are as beneficial to him as they give legitimacy to his regime,” says Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. “We should not talk to the dictator,” says Svyatlana Sichanowska, the leader of the Belarusian opposition, directly.

This objection appears, of course. I think Merkel was aware of the risks involved in her actions. You made this decision and not any other decision and take full responsibility for it. As a Polish government, we are aware of these conversations, have not been consulted and are not responsible for their effects. I would like to ask you not to fall victim to Lukashenka’s misinformation. We have no information – public or non-public – about Merkel.

The Lithuanian Foreign Minister wrote that perhaps the sanctions against Belavia – Belarusian Airlines – will be lifted. This is not Lukashenka’s propaganda.

Bellavia is not subject to sanctions. Banned from traveling to Europe.

This is a kind of punishment.

In my opinion, nothing changes in this regard. Debate continues over specific airline coverage. We have always repeated, like Poland, – depending on how these airlines respond to our demands, they will or will not be subject to sanctions. If they cooperate, they will not be on the sanctions lists.

The most important thing for us is our safety. It seems we are talking to the Baltic states, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Are we in constant contact with Germany, France and the United States?

This is why we are building this regional alliance so that we can emerge in conversations with foreign partners with a stronger mandate. Naturally – the further away from the border with Belarus, the more they perceive it a little differently.

Full text of the interview coming soon