Germany's new foreign minister holds talks in Poland

Published March 16, 2018

Germany's new foreign minister arrived Friday in Poland for talks on the European Union's future and security and on the two neighbors' bilateral relations.

Heiko Maas said before departing he wanted to make it clear that Germany was not taking trust and good neighborly ties with Poland "for granted."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was sworn in for a fourth term this week, is to visit Warsaw for talks on Monday.

Maas said the "close partnership" with Poland is "true despite the different perspectives we have in some areas" but that Poland, the largest of the EU's central and eastern members, and Germany have a "joint responsibility to keep Europe together."

In his previous capacity as justice minister, Maas criticized changes that Poland's right-wing government has introduced to the country's judiciary, seen by many as a violation of the rule of law.

He said in his talks in Warsaw he wanted to discuss "how we can move Europe forward with France."

Poland is interested in reviving the so-called Weimar Triangle, a platform of political cooperation between the three member states that has been inactive of late.

Maas was greeted by Polish President Andrzej Duda for talks at the Presidential Palace, and was also to meet Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Foreign Minster Jacek Czaputowicz to discuss Brexit, migration, EU funding and Europe's military security.

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David Rising in Berlin contributed

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