Polish President Duda visiting Latvia Wednesday and Thursday

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President of Poland Andrzej Duda and first lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda were in Latvia on an official visit on February 1 and 2.

The President of Poland and Latvian President Egils Levits discussed how to provide Ukraine with more support, security and energy in Europe, and other matters.

After morning talks at Rīga Castle, with Duda's arrival broadcast live on LTV, there was be a joint press conference of Presidents Levits and Duda at 12:30, which you can watch below.

The presidents underlined their continuing support for Ukraine, the need for Russia to answer for its crimes and the importance of supplying weapons to help Ukraine repel Russiaan attacks and to win back occupied territory.

"Ukraine is also fighting for us – they are fighting for Latvia, they are fighting for Poland and they are fighting for Europe. I could say, for the whole western world," said President Levits.

Both presidents also stressed the need for regional infrastructure and economic development, including the Rail Baltica rail link connecting the Baltic states with capitals in central Europe. President Duda also expressed hopes that the forthcoming NATO summit to be held in Vilnius would result in further enhancements of infrastructure that could have military and civilian uses.

Throughout the press conference President Duda underlined that while it remained a priority to assist Ukraine, Poland and its allies should also ensure their own, long-term security and defense capabilities and that the arrival of F-35 fighters was eagerly awaited.

On the subject of whether U.S. President Joe Biden will visit the region in February, the Presidents declined to speculate while admitting it was a possibility. President Levits said such a move would send a "strong signal" not only to the region but to Moscow, too.  

The press conference was be preceded by signing of a Poland-Latvia cooperation program in education and culture for the years 2023-2026.

 

After the press conference Duda was due to meet Prime Minister of Latvia Krišjānis Kariņš at the Cabinet of Ministers building.

On February 2 both presidents will take part in a discussion titled: “Latvia and Poland: Countering Today’s Challenges Together”, which will also be livestreamed.

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