Morawiecki: EU-NATO to further cooperation and sanctions on Belarus and Russia

Speaking before a summit of EU leaders, Morawiecki said the EU supports Poland in its actions at the Polish-Belarusian border, where migrants are "used as tools, as human shields" by Belarus.

He said Poland's European partners are showing that "there will be a further escalation in sanctions against Belarus, if their actions are not stopped."

"First of all, we managed to strengthen the cooperation between the EU and NATO. NATO is the most important framework for the (European) security architecture. The cooperation between the EU and NATO thus will be manifested in a declaration, which is already now described as crucial. We receive this very positively."

Despite discrepancies with "several Western European countries," Morawiecki said he is optimistic regarding a joint conclusion that would announce joint measures against possible Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Poland supports gas and nuclear power as sources of energy the European Union should allow governments to invest, in the EU's transition to zero net CO2 emissions in 2050.

Morawiecki also lashed out against changing CO2 prices, noting their unpredictability was a burden on businesses.

He called for reducing the volatility of CO2 prices in the EU's trading system, which he said benefited mainly speculators.

"Poland very strongly supports the possibility of financing investments in gas and nuclear power," Morawiecki said. "Gas power plants have lower emissions (than carbon) and nuclear power plants are zero-emission," he said, adding those energy sources will be needed "for the next 30 years or longer."