On the occasion of her official visit to Poland, EP President Roberta METSOLA speaks to the press with Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

press point

official visit

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

EU - Poland (T)

TUSK, Donald (PL)

Poland

Warsaw

president's agenda

Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/74771094/1707480334936_I252756Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister, Thank you very much. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to welcome you again. Dear Roberta, Dear President of the European Parliament. As you may know, we've been cooperating with the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola for many years, and therefore, we can count on their support in many areas. With all the difficulties that we are going through, the war in Ukraine, the liberalisation of trade, the rule of law, the migration and the many other subjects that are very focus of all the media. I've always could count on full support from you.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister, So today, for obvious reasons, we've been talking about the elections to the European Parliament. So the presence of the President of the European Parliament has a significance as regards the attendance of those elections in Poland. The attendance during the elections is really high, both on the 15th of October, but also during the European elections. So now it's a good opportunity to stress the importance of European elections and the importance of the European Parliament.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister, We in Poland are now concentrated on something that is also strictly related to European institutions, which is food security. Food security as part of the whole security of our continent, in the context of war, but also in the context of the decision related to the liberalisation of trade between Poland and Ukraine and regarding the Green Deal.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister, I was really glad when looking at the decisions that were made in the European Parliament, for example, as related to pesticides. This is one of the examples where we've managed to find a solution that would make it easier for our farmers to function in these difficult times. Of course, it's not enough as a solution. We also talked at length about the specific situation of the Polish farming sector due to the specific conditions we are now in, and I count on the full understanding of the situation from your side.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister, Undoubtedly, European and Polish farmers have to be sure that the solution that we will prepare for them will be really in favour of them and will not be set up against their interests. And I'm talking here also about the export of food products from Ukraine to Europe, but also about some provisions of the Green Deal. It's not an easy situation. Nothing is easy in European politics. However, we will need to work on that during this mandate and the next mandate of the European Parliament so that we protect the interests of European farmers.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister, We have to respect them. Everyone really requires that their interests are respected, but it's also about preserving the security of the whole continent in the context of the threat also related to the war in Ukraine and to there is also, of course, a global threat to be taken into account. So all this should be taken into account, especially the food security has to be considered. We will be talking about it in March during the next European Council. So I was not the only one to request for this subject related to farmers to be put in to this agenda. The agenda of this meeting. So I fully count on your support after this meeting.

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister, Thank you very much. Thank you very much once again for everything that you have done for Europe, for my country. You always defended our key values, while being very pragmatic when we have to find specific solutions, as we have to do it today. So, dear Roberta, you can count on our support, the support of your Polish friends today and tomorrow.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Good afternoon, and thank you for your kind words. Prime Minister Dear Donald, I am very much delighted to be here today in beautiful Warsaw in this special year as we celebrate 20 years of Poland's membership in the European Union. I am particularly happy to be back here at a time when Poland is rapidly returning to the hearts and centre of Europe, returning to be the leader that we all know it is. I am currently visiting EU Member States in order to increase awareness about the European elections and to encourage people, particularly young people, to vote. And I'm here to listen to the concerns and the expectations of Polish people.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, After the 9th of June, there will be 720 members of the European Parliament coming to Brussels. 53 from Poland, one more than in the current legislature. Who those people are and what they stand for is in Polish voters hands. They will shape policies and adopt legislation that affect all of Poland and Europe. And it is up to you to choose to vote. And allow me a moment to thank Poland and you personally, Prime Minister, for your commitment and leadership. Where some thought there would be small steps, you have already made giant leaps back towards Europe.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, The Prime Minister and I spoke for a long time about the very real challenges facing Polish and other European citizens and how we can address them. In all my discussions with young people, politicians and also people of of all ages, I make a point to be proud of Europe's successes, and we have had a few, but also to be honest and open about where we can do better, about where we may have gone too far too fast, and how we can address some frustrations with our processes.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, To me, the answer is dialogue. It is discussion. It is convincing people to vote next June. And as I said, the solution to our climate challenges must also include our farmers and agricultural sector. We must leave no one behind, especially with a war raging on our borders.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, I am convinced that we can find a way forward now. Dear Donald, you have always taught me that our Europe must be one in which we stand up for our values, for democracy, for freedom, and for the rule of law, even when it's difficult or when it is under threat, because that is what defines us. When war is no longer unthinkable and fewer people live in a democracy than outside of one, our Europe must be the superpower of rights, freedoms and prosperity.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, A Europe with Poland at its heart, where everyone feels part of it, where everyone can feel their potential. That is why we must remain united and stand firmly against Russia's aggression and in our support for Ukraine, and I know that we can do that and find a way to protect our internal markets at the same time.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, The sense of responsibility that you have shown Europe and the world is unparalleled, particularly when it comes to the amazing display of generosity and solidarity in opening up your homes and your hearts to millions of Ukrainian peoples forced to seek refuge. So, Dear Donald, it's great to be here. It's great to have you in Poland back. Thank you.