Britain seeks to strengthen ties with Poland ahead of Brexit

Follow us on Social Media

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street in London, November 23, 2016. REUTERS/Toby Melville
Social sharing

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May will discuss deeper co-operation with her Polish counterpart in defence, security and trade on Monday, seeking common ground to underpin relations between the two countries after Brexit.

May and Beata Szydlo will focus on the implications of the British vote in June to leave the European Union and defence issues, Downing Street said.

“I am determined that Brexit will not weaken our relationship with Poland, rather it will serve as a catalyst to strengthen it,” May said in a statement ahead of the Downing Street meeting.

“(The summit) marks the start of a new chapter in our relations and we will work even more closely together to ensure the security and prosperity of our nations in the years ahead.”

Ties between the two countries have broadened since Poland joined the European Union in 2004.

An estimated 831,000 Poles lived in Britain in 2015, an increase of 750,000 on the number in 2004, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Poland overtook India as the most common non-UK place of birth for people living in Britain last year, and as such Poles were at the centre of a referendum debate focussed on freedom of movement in the EU and record levels of immigration.

In the days following June’s vote to leave the EU, the Polish embassy in London expressed deep concerned about what it said were incidents of xenophobic abuse directed against the Polish community.

May will reiterate her condemnation of attacks against Poles on Monday, Number 10 said, and highlight the valuable role they play in business, medicine, academia and the arts.

“We will never forget the Polish pilots who braved the skies alongside us during World War Two, standing up for freedom and democracy in Europe, nor the valuable contribution made by so many Poles in our country today,” she said.

The leaders will also give further details about the planned deployment of a British infantry company to Poland to help secure NATO’s eastern flanks, Downing Street said.

Szydlo’s government had viewed Britain as a focus of its foreign policy in the EU since it came to power last year, in contrast to the previous, centrist cabinet’s emphasis on Germany.

Szydlo said in July she was satisfied that London would remain Poland’s strategic partner on issues such as Ukraine, security policy and migration.

(Reporting by Paul Sandle; Editing by Andrew Bolton)

 

Leave your comment on this post

THE ROTTEN FISH: CAN OF WORMS OPENED OF APC & TINUBU'S GOVERNMENT OVER NIGERIA'S ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

WATCH THE CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND KNOW THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES TO BLAME FOR NIGERIA'S ECONOMIC CHALLENGES, WHILE CITIZENS ENDURE SEVERE HARDSHIPS.

Watch this episode of ISSUES IN THE NEWS on 9News Nigeria featuring Peter Obi's Special Adviser, Dr Katch Ononuju, 9News Nigeria Publisher, Obinna Ejianya and Tinubu Support Group Leader, McHezekiah Eherechi

The economic crisis and hardship in Nigeria are parts of the discussion.


Watch, leave your comments, and share to create more awareness on this issue.


#9NewsNigeria #Nigeria #issuesInTheNews #politics #tinubu THE ROTTEN FISH: CAN OF WORMS OPENED ...
DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE AND LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS FOR SUBSEQUENT UPDATES
#9newsnigeria #economia #economy #nigeria #government @9newsng
www.9newsng.com

Leave your comment

Click on the link below or Scan the QR Code to join the 9News Nigeria WhatsApp Channel

9News Nigeria Investigative Reports WhatsApp Channel
9News Nigeria Investigative Reports WhatsApp Channel
About 9News Nigeria 13407 Articles
9News Nigeria is Nigeria's favourite news source. For Authentic, Unbiased News on Politics, Business, Sports, Technology, Entertainment and Lifestyles, Health, Nollywood, Crime and Investigations, Family and Relationships, Inspirations .. and much more. For Latest News from Africa and around the world, 9News Nigeria is your best source. WhatsApp +2348115805632 Email: info@9newsng.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/9NewsNG | Twitter/Instagram: @9newsng

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply