Polish, French ministers discuss EU, energy
European Union issues and energy cooperation dominated Tuesday's talks in Warsaw between European Affairs Minister Konrad Szymański and his French counterpart, Clement Beaune.
"We often lie quite close in issues related to the digital market, industrial policy or tax evasion," Szymański said. "Together we defend the interests of European agriculture."
During the talks, Szymański raised the problem of Polish companies being, as he said, discriminated against in the West. The ministers also talked about the German-Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project.
Poland, Ukraine, the Baltic States, and the USA strongly oppose the construction of the pipeline that is to supply gas directly to Germany from Russia.
Critics say that the project, which is almost finished, would increase Europe's dependence on Russian gas and extend the Kremlin's influence on European politics.
Szymański said Poland appreciated France's "distance" towards the German-Russian project, but noted that it was not as "determined" in the matter as Poland.
Minister Beaune, on a three-day visit to Poland, has also spoken with Tomasz Grodzki, the head of the opposition-controlled upper house of the Polish parliament, the Senate.
