SPAIN: Polish Prime minister Donald Tusk says Europe must ensure that one dictator is not replaced by another in Libya and says Poland can survive the competitive nature of the EU

Record ID: 783794

  • Title: SPAIN: Polish Prime minister Donald Tusk says Europe must ensure that one dictator is not replaced by another in Libya and says Poland can survive the competitive nature of the EU
  • Date: 11th March 2011
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF TUSK AND ZAPATERO ARRIVING TO NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Polish) POLISH PRIMER MINISTER, DONALD TUSK SAYING: "We have to be sure that we are supporting those who are trying to change the situation in Libya and not those who are trying to replace Gaddafi. Speaking clearly we would like to recognise those who want to create a more acceptable government for Europe and not just to ensure stability by changing one dictator for other. That is something we have to know." JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Polish) POLISH PRIMER MINISTER, DONALD TUSK SAYING: "Poland, and I announce it today, is determined to take part in the agreement and we are determined not just because it is our will but because we can face up the same the competitiveness challenge as the rest of the euro zone countries. We commit to assuming all the responsibilities with no complex or excessive problems." JOURNALIST ASKING AT NEWS CONFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHER (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPAIN PRIME MINISTER, JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO SAYING: "The changes in the Mediterranean area, in the Maghreb are playing a very positive part. There is going to be more democracy and where there is more democracy there is more peace, more possibilities for the people, better international relationships. And also it is going to demand a bigger commitment. It might require a financial commitment although it is not going to be at the expense of the Easter Partnership that it is also very important. But we should not spare when it comes in achieving freedom." TUSK AND ZAPATERO SHAKING HANDS TUSK AND ZAPATERO LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 26th March 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain, Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA529LQT6C8G9J2P6W34H0Q72QZ
  • Story Text: Polish Prime minister Donald Tusk on Thursday (March 10) said that the European Union must support those who are trying to bring democratic change to Libya.
    Speaking from Madrid at a news conference with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero, Tusk said it was essential, "not just to ensure stability by changing one dictator for other."
    Tusk, who was greeted by Zapatero with military honours, was in the Spanish capital for the seventh Bilateral Spain-Poland summit.
    One of the main issues discussed by the leaders was the need for a coordinated EU response to the crisis in North Africa and in particular to the Libyan uprising as well as the EU's economy and migration.
    The pro-European Tusk had pledged to take Poland into the euro zone in 2012 but was forced to scrap the plan after the global crisis drove up the budget deficit.
    Tusk said that Poland could face the same competitiveness challenge as the rest of the Euro Zone countries.
    "We are determined not just because it is our will but because we can face up the same competitiveness challenge as the rest of the Euro zone countries. We commit to assume all the responsibilities with no complex or excessive problems," Tusk said.
    Zapatero said that the changes in the Mediterranean area might require a financial commitment but ruled out the possibility of taking the founds from the Easter Partnership.
    "The changes in the mediterranean area, in the Maghreb has a very positive part, there is going to be more democracy and where there is more democracy there is more peace, more possibilities for the people, better international relationships. And also it is going to demand a bigger commitment. It might require a financial commitment although it is not going to be at the expense of the Easter Partnership that it is also very important. But we should not spare when it comes in achieving freedom," the Spanish Prime Minister said.
    The Eastern Partnership is an organisation aiming to improve the political and economic trade-relations of Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia with the EU.
    Poland will take over the EU presidency for the first time in July and Zapatero said he would support the Polish presidency's priorities during their term.
    Poland is Spain's main trading partner among the newer EU members.
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