Poland wants to strengthen economic cooperation with New Zealand, including through a free trade agreement between that country and the EU, Polish President Andrzej Duda said in Auckland (New Zealand) on Wednesday.
The president added that Poland would like such an agreement to be concluded as soon as possible.
The Polish head of state met with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden on Wednesday. At a joint press conference following the talks, Duda said that one of the subjects discussed at the meeting was economic cooperation in the context of negotiations between New Zealand and the European Union regarding a free trade agreement.
"We talked about this issue, including in the context of Brexit, because it must be remembered that when the UK leaves the EU, Poland will be the largest economy that does not belong to the eurozone, a country without additional obligations related to participation in that zone," Duda explained.
He added that after Brexit, Poland will become "the largest proponent of free trade." Hence, Poland could have a particular role to play in a post-Brexit Europe.
The president pointed out that Poland wants an EU free trade agreement to be concluded as soon as possible in order to strengthen economic cooperation.
Duda noted that the current trade turnover between Poland and New Zealand is around USD 200 mln (EUR 173 mln) annually. Nevertheless, "looking at the possibilities, it can be said that huge potential is still not being exploited," the president said. He added that Poland has a dynamically developing economy, with 5.0 percent annual GDP growth.
The Polish president and his wife Agata Kornhauser-Duda arrived in New Zealand on Tuesday evening for a two-day visit to after completing a four-day visit in Australia.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 International, PAP