PM's German visit yields some promises

Energy issues topped the agenda on Monday, during Polish Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski's trip in Germany. The PM explained that gas would be sourced from "countries located more to the West than Poland." This proposal might be the first step towards an EU-level agreement that would ensure Poland's energy safety. Details will be determined by a Polish-German committee that, according to Merkel, should conclude work by March 2007 - prior to a planned EU energy summit. Chancellor Merkel rejected the idea of signing an international treaty closing post-War claims. She believes the issue to be already closed, following a statement by the German government that it does not support any individual claims against the Polish government. Despite expectations, Merkel did not officially propose that Poland join the northern pipeline. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, A7) M.M.