President Duda meets Tusk in Brussels

President of Poland Andrzej Duda visited Brussels on Monday where he met the President of the European Council and former Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. After the meeting, Donald Tusk said at a press conference that it's important to prevent Polish and European politicians from making exaggerated statements about Poland and Europe. "Poland has no enemies in the EU," Tusk claimed and added that he wants to correct statements made "for the use of propaganda" that there is conspiracy against Poland within the EU institutions. "Basically, we work here during the daytime and it's not conducive to conspire," Tusk clearly referred to the passing of laws at night by the ruling PiS. "I do not believe it's a good idea to discuss the situation in Poland at the European Council," Tusk declared, saying that the situation of Poland is not on the agenda of the next meeting of EU 28 leaders. He added that he is not enthusiastic about launching the rule of law procedure on Poland. Tusk also assessed the decision to downgrade Poland's rating by Standard and Poor's as unjust and over-reactionary. But he also said that the agency might have believed in the negative image of Poland put forward by PiS during the electoral campaign. "This kind of propaganda that Poland is in terrible shape could lead to someone actually believing in it." President Andrzej Duda said that he is glad that Tusk occupies such a high post in the EU. He stressed that nothing extraordinary is happening in Poland now. "There are on-going political debates on Poland's internal affairs, and not about Poland's position in the EU, nor about an approach to issues important for all. I expect understanding from our European partners." "The change of power has occurred and it has consequences, not everybody agrees with that, but the changes are normal in a democratic country," Duda said. The President confirmed that Poland will honor its obligations regarding the resettlement of refugees. "We are open to everyone who wants to come to Poland and seek a refuge here." Duda also agreed with Tusk that it's in the interest of Poland and the United Kingdom that the UK stays as a member of the EU.