Press Advisories

6. 7. 201820:23

Prime Minister Babiš held talks with Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki on boosting economic exchange, V4 cooperation and European issues

On Friday, 6 July 2018, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš met in Karlovy Vary with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. In addition to the discussion and meetings with Czech and Polish businessmen, they also saw the screening of Rain Man at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

According to Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, Poland is a major ally, both in the region and within the European Union and NATO. Of particular importance are the regular Czech-Polish intergovernmental consultations, whose fifth round should take place in the Czech Republic.

“I’m very glad that we can meet here today. We have extraordinary relationships. We share our view on the European budget. Today we talked again about cohesion, agriculture and fund utilisation. The Prime Minister also used to be the Minister of Finance, so we know each other well. I am glad that our VAT control statement is working in Poland”, said Andrej Babiš in Karlovy Vary.

The discussion of the Prime Ministers focused especially on mutual economic relations and the Czech-Polish cooperation in the field of transport infrastructure. Poland is the second most important business partner of the Czech Republic and a large number of Czech companies operate in its territory. In relation to transport infrastructure, both Prime Ministers expressed their interest in modernizing and expanding cross-border road and rail links.

On European issues, Prime Minister Babiš spoke with Prime Minister Morawiecki about the negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021–2027. Among other topics were reverse charge, and the migration issue, where both politicians agreed on promoting such an asylum policy that would exclude any relocation system.

Then, both Prime Ministers met with Czech and Polish entrepreneurs. Prime Minister Babiš appreciated that trade has continued to grow since the 2009 crisis. He also said that the potential for mutual trade and investment has not yet been fully exploited and that it is therefore necessary to continue to promote economic cooperation between the two countries

After the meeting in Karlovy Vary, the Prime Ministers went for a short walk, and then went to see Barry Levinson’s Rain Man, which was screening at the Thermal Hotel at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

The previous meeting of the two Prime Ministers took place in Budapest in January 2018 as part of the Visegrad Group Summit.