Poland and France against mini Schengen zone - News - National Security Bureau

According to the presidential aide, Duda and Valls discussed the future of European policy and migration. "At that stage there came a very important joint declaration that both countries would be against building any mini Schengen formula in Europe."

The minister reported that the politicians agreed that the Schengen zone was an indivisible value and should encompass those who are able to effectively protect the EU's external borders. "No-one can be excluded from it due to political reasons or projects that would like to see it divided."

Asked whether Duda and Valls discussed the controversial helicopter tender for the Polish army won by the French chopper Caracal, Szczerski said they had discussed "a whole range of bilateral issues" including the important element of "potential participation of French industry in the modernisation of the Polish army."

The presidential minister stressed that the talk had not taken the form of negotiations. "It was rather a discussion on the conditions under which the French side, as any other side, should take part in the modernisation of the Polish army."

President Duda also held a conversation with Lebanese PM Tammam Salam which centred on the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East and the expected European response to the crisis. "The president stressed that Poland was interested in offering aid where the tragedy is taking place," Krzysztof Szczerski reported.

During talks with Montenegro's PM Milo Djukanovic, President Duda stressed that Poland was an advocate of an open door policy in NATO and that the upcoming NATO summit in Warsaw would be "expansion oriented", according to minister Szczerski.

In talks with his Croatian, Slovenian, Estonian and Bulgarian counterparts, Duda discussed regional cooperation and joint investments.

Source: PAP; president.pl