Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

French, Polish leaders meet to mend strained ties

PARIS — French president Emmanuel Macron is hosting Poland's prime minister for talks ranging from Europe's security to workers posted by their employer in another country, a contentious issue between the two European Union nations.

Bilateral ties are tense after Poland canceled a major deal to purchase French-made helicopters and after Macron criticized the government of Prime Minister Beata Szydlo and bypassed Poland during a visit to the region in the summer.

Macron gave Szydlo a warm welcome at the Elysee Palace on Thursday. Their talks are to include terms for workers from Eastern Europe working in richer EU countries; defense cooperation and armaments; the future of the EU after Britain leaves the 28-member bloc; and Poland's concerns over Russia's plans for a second gas pipeline on the Baltic Sea bed.