Radoslaw Sikorski, Poland’s foreign minister, told Polish Radio today that Poland had a large successat the EU Summit  in Brussels, particularly regarding the delay of the climate and energy package decision, which would mandate a cut in carbon emissions by 20 percent by 2020.

“That issue is the key to Poland’s energy, which is more than 90 percent based on coal-based fuel,” remarked Sikorski. He added that the block of the package was only possible because of a coalition of several EU nations that vocally vetoed it.

Looking to the future, the foreign minister suggests that now, the EU Commission should prepare a climate package that Poland would not be required to veto due to economic feasibility.

Additionally, Sikorski, one of the members of the delegation to the summit, stressed that the controversy regarding which leaders from Poland would attend the summit tarnished the image of the country in Brussels.

The foreign minister highlighted the fact that the presence of president Lech Kaczynski in Belgium did nothing considerable for Poland. He stated that, during the discussions, the president showed nothing but support for the Polish delegation.

Sikorski told the radio that, in his opinion, that the Chancellery of the President simply urged him to expand his competence.

Stressing that it was obvious that Kaczynski was not in Brussels simply as a tourist, the head of Polish diplomacy however added, “a president is president 24 hours a day and he deserves due respect.”

The minister was specifically referring to the controversy that roiled Poland this week – Kaczynski insisted upon attending the summit despite the fact that he was not included in the diplomatic delegation led by Sikorski and PM Donald Tusk. (mmj)