Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki argued in Strasbourg on Wednesday 4 July for a Europe that brings about its “4-0 revolution” in technology and innovation, strengthens its defence without undermining NATO and ensures the wellbeing of its citizens.
Speaking as controversy rages over the rule of law in his country (see other article), Morawiecki made much of Poland’s history and the role it can offer for the EU. Had it not been for the Iron Curtain, Poland could even have been one of the EU’s founding countries, as was the wish of the Polish government in exile at the time.
Without ever questioning his country’s membership of the EU, Morawiecki made clear that Poland wanted close cooperation essential to the EU while, at the same time, rejecting the idea of indefinite integration “which is not a goal in itself”. There is “no inevitability about a single EU pushing us eternally to transfer competences to a super state”, he stressed.
Respect for national identities. Highlighting on a number of occasions the Polish nation’s pride, he also warned his partners: “Countries that feel weak, unvalued are not good for the EU”.
In his view, it is above all a matter of respect for national identities. That is “a key part of confidence” in the EU, he argued. Underlining that the EU is currently in an unprecedented existential crisis, bombarded by questions from all sides, Morawiecki said that the European project needed “new openness”.
“Many Europeans don’t want further integration or are against the EU. We can be shocked but it’s a fact.” The question that has to be asked, therefore, is “why so many people do not like the way the EU is developing”, he suggested. He opined that rejection of this kind emerges when Europeans feel that they “are losing control”.
Addressing the European Parliament, “the most democratic” European institution, Morawiecki set out a few big ideas on the future of the EU.
Domestically, he said, the internal market has to be completed and liberalisation of services extended a little further through revision of the 2006 directive on the issue. Turning to energy transformation, he stated that Poland had begun a fundamental shift in that direction.
On the post-2020 EU budget, he called for the cohesion funds to be maintained, arguing in the passing that any restriction of cohesion policy would be seen as “anti-European or pro-European populism”.
Internationally, the Polish prime minister reiterated the importance he attached to trans-Atlantic relations, something he has in common with a good number of MEPs, he said. And, he added, the EU must also develop its independent defences at a time when it is facing a range of global challenges, including “an aggressive Russia”.
Tax justice, tackling tax havens and VAT fraud also featured prominently in his speech. He cited his own country, Poland, as an example in tackling tax evasion.
MEPs, who were more circumspect, largely limited the debate to criticising the reform of the judicial system. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)