20:07 22 November 2020
Brussels and Wallonia close their representative office in Poland
Belgian regions of Brussels and Wallonia close their representation in Warsaw. "For several years, the authoritarian excesses of the current government have undermined the rule of law," wrote their representatives.
"Due to the recent decisions of Polish rulers, me and Pierre-Yves Jeholet have decided to close the Wallonia-Brussels General Delegation in Warsaw for an indefinite period," wrote on Twitter Elio Di Rupo, Prime Minister of Wallonia (one of the three federal regions of Belgium).
Elio Di Rupo and his Walloon-Brussels counterpart Pierre-Yves Jeholet wrote in a joint statement, that attacks on the independence of the judiciary, discrimination against LGBT people, as well as the increasing attacks on press freedom are examples of actions by Polish authorities that threaten European values and are contrary to the rule of law.
“We cannot accept it. The closure of our official political representation is a strong signal that we want to send to the Polish authorities,” the statement said.
The Wallonia-Brussels General Representation represents both regions in areas such as culture, sport, tourism, and scientific exchanges, employs seven people, and will be closed indefinitely, the region said in a statement.
(EURACTIV.pl)
