Polish and Italian presidents discuss Ukrainian-Russian crisis and EU
Polish and Italian Presidents, Bronislaw Komorowski and Giorgio Napolitano, spoke out for independence and respect for the integrity of Ukraine. The two, meeting in Rome on Tuesday, also discussed the Italian presidency over the EU. President Komorowski as of Tuesday is on an official three-day visit to Italy.
The President speaking at a joint press conference said the two discussed ways of helping Ukraine in confirming its independence, territorial integrity and how to help the country implement necessary internal reforms.
The President said that he and President Napolitano positively assessed the results of the Sunday parliamentary elections in Ukraine. According to Bronisław Komorowski they confirm the "leading role of President Petro Poroshenko who has a strong will to go ahead with the reform of Ukraine and to maintain the pro-Western direction."
President Napolitano stressed that the Ukrainian-Russian crisis has "violated the balance" in Ukraine and the possibility of opening a new perspective of democratic development.
Napolitano said that "countries such as Russia should be fully aware of their constructive role and respect the rules." He added that Russia should respect the territorial and state integrity of every democratic country such as Ukraine.
The Italian President emphasised that the joint effort is needed in order to solve the Ukrainian problem. Moreover, he hopes that the common ground with Russia will be found soon. He stressed that the cooperation with Russia is possible only when the problems with Ukraine will be genuinely solved and when the role of EU will be respected.
Bronislaw Komorowski stressed that Poland has high hopes for the Italian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In his opinion, the priorities of the Italian presidency are a good response, both in respect to the crisis phenomena in the EU as well as crises outside the EU.
President Komorowski also mentioned energy security among important tasks of the Italian presidency. Poland unequivocally supports the integration of the common energy market, building solidarity mechanisms and the diversification of energy supply sources, the Polish president declared.
Both presidents welcomed the election of Polish PM Donald Tusk as president of the Council of the European Union and Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini as the head of EU diplomacy.
"We hope that the increased role of Poland and Italy (in the EU) will be conducive to deepening our cooperation in the European arena and in bilateral relations," said Komorowski.
The Italian President emphasised the necessity of ‘revitalization of European initiative in foreign policy’.
After meeting with the president of Italy, Bronislaw Komorowski met with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
Source: PAP, president.pl