Poland, like France, wants the European Union to be a strong, viable economic entity, wrote Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczyksowski in an op-ed published on Friday.

He added that “the economic development of the Union serves our citizens”.

A week following Emanuel Macron’s win in the French presidential elections, Waszczykowski wrote that “Poland and France are connected by long-standing close relations, respect for the same universal values and a similar sensitivity of both societies”.

He added: “Over the centuries, our co-operation has, on many occasions, demonstrated its importance and effectiveness.”

Tensions between the Polish government and Macron ran high in the days leading up to the French election following statements by Macron that, if elected, he would push for EU sanctions against Poland. At the time, Waszczykowski slammed Macron’s comments as “unacceptable”.

Writing in the Rzeczpospolita daily on Friday, Waszczykowski said: “In order to build the future of bilateral relations and of a strong European Union, we should talk more often with our French friends, something I have repeatedly stated at bilateral and multilateral meetings in various international forums.”

He added that further cooperation is needed in the Weimar Triangle – a grouping comprising Poland, France and Germany.

“I see great potential for finding common solutions,” Waszczykowski said. “I hope that the new French president will share this point of view and support important efforts to revive this format, which over the years has been an important cooperation forum for supporting the enlarged European Union.” (rg/pk)