ADVERTISEMENT

Countries try to patch things up after fights

French President Emmanuel Macron and Poland's Prime Minister Beata Szydlo sought to repair ties Thursday after squabbles over everything from EU regulation to a statue of pope John Paul II.

The two leaders struck a conciliatory tone after talks in Paris, with rightwinger Szydlo inviting centrist Macron to visit next year to mark 100 years of Polish independence.

"We cannot ignore the fact that since I became president six months ago this relationship has probably not been at its strongest or most positive," Macron told a joint press conference.

But he said there was "a willingness to move forward" on both sides, while Szydlo called the pair's first ever bilateral talks "good and necessary".

ADVERTISEMENT

The meeting follows multiple spats since Macron came to power in May, most recently over the French president's push to overhaul EU rules on sending workers abroad which benefit Polish workers.

Led by France, richer countries say the Posted Workers Directive, under which taxes and social charges are paid at home, exposes their citizens to unfair cheaper Eastern European competition.

In October Macron secured a compromise 18-month time limit on such contracts, but the vast trucking industry was exempted under pressure from Warsaw.

Macron admitted the issue remained "a subject of disagreement".

But elsewhere he eased off on criticism of Warsaw over its controversial court reforms.

ADVERTISEMENT

Having previously branded Poland "a country that has decided to go against European interests", on Wednesday he stressed that EU countries do not need to judge each others' reforms.

Paris is awaiting the EU's verdict on whether Warsaw's plans breach the rule of law, he said.

The two countries have been at odds since 2016, when Szydlo's government cancelled a multi-billion euro contract for 50 military helicopters from France-based aeronautics giant Airbus.

Since then Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the leader of the governing PiS party, has dismissed Macron as "a celebrity politician" and Szydlo has offered to take in a statue at the centre of a ruckus in France.

A court ruling last month saw a French town ordered to take down a cross hanging over a statue of the late John Paul II under strict secularism laws, sparking anger in his native Poland.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tens of thousands in the staunchly Catholic country signed online petitions against the ruling, which Szydlo said was evidence of "the dictate of political correctness".

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

You make bold decisions & live with consequences - Ondo Gov hails Tinubu at 72

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

170 electrical vandalism cases in 2 years, 100 charged to court - EEDC

Dr Bello appointed chairman of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) by Tinubu

Dr Bello appointed chairman of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) by Tinubu

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT