Ministry of the Interior and Administration https://archiwum.mswia.gov.pl/en/news/540,Commissioner-Jacques-Barrot-visits-Poland.html 2021-09-25, 00:56

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Publication date 11.09.2008

Commissioner Jacques Barrot visits Poland

On 11 September 2008, Vice-President of the paid a one-day visit to Poland. Jacques Barrot, who is responsible in the EU for Justice, Freedom and Security matters, met Grzegorz Schetyna, the Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and Administration.

The meeting concerned Polish contribution to EU security, was aimed at working out a common EU position towards visa requirement for EU citizens entering the US, evaluating EU policy in the field of Justice, Freedom and Security, especially in terms of migration policy and asylum.

Bilateral talks were followed by a press conference at the Chancellery of the Council of Ministers.

Minister of Interior and Administration – Grzegorz Schetyna – has found the talks very useful and important for the cooperation to come. He thanked Jacques Barrot for his support to Polish efforts to waive visa requirement to for those who enter the territory of the US and for promoting a wider solidarity among the EU countries in admitting asylum seekers.

- The voice of the entire European Union will be better heard than the voice of one country. Thank you for your support, said Grzegorz Schetyna.

EU Commissioner thanked for a warm welcome and congratulated Poland for its intense activity in the field of justice and security in the EU. He also confirmed his support to efforts for issuing a common position by EU Member States related to US visa requirements. According to Jacques Barrot, it would be a good idea to conclude a simplified agreement with the United States, where the US consent for visa waiver would be conditioned by EU accepting US security requirements and by the responsibility for the return of citizens whose visas are about to expire.

The major part of the talks was related to asylum and migration issues.

- I would like to confirm our wish to promote a greater solidarity of EU countries in admitting asylum seekers on the EU territory. Now, this tasks relies mainly upon border countries, such as Poland. – said Jacques Barrot – Poland bears significant costs related to the admission of refugees from countries situated eastwards from the EU border. We would like the costs to be spread more proportionally, according to rules in force.

Jacques Barrot mentioned the so-called resettlement concept, according to which the first border country to admit an asylum seeker, would transfer this person to another country in the centre of Europe.

The Vice-President of the European Commission reminded about obligations that result from regulations concerning the common Schengen border area and expressed his wish to re-evaluate problems with local border traffic between Ukraine, Poland and Slovakia.

Jacques Barrot is of the opinion that his first visit to Poland was a great opportunity to exchange views.

During the last part of the press conference both politicians answered questions concerning pedophilia and radical pharmacological therapy for convicted pedophiles.

- As far as I know, no country in Europe admits the obligation of medical treatment – said Jacques Barrot.

- The approach to this matter is now very emotional in Poland – said the Minister of Interior and Administration – We want the new provisions to be in line with EU regulations.

Jacques Barrot announced his next visit to Poland to meet the Management and the Staff of the FRONTEX Agency.

During his stay in Poland, Jacques Barrot had also bilateral talks with the Minister of Justice - Zbigniew Ćwiąkalski.

Jacques Barrot was born on 3rd of February 1937 in Yssingeaux (Haute-Loire Department), French politician, currently Vice-President of the European Commission, from May 2008 responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security area. From November 2004 to May 2008 Jacques Barrot was Vice- President of the Europaen Commission responsible for Transport. Member of the currently governing French right-wing party UMP Union pour un mouvement populaire) and President of the UMP in the National Assembly in the years 2002 – 2004. In the years 1976 – 2004 President of the Haute-Loire Departmental Council. Jacques Barrot is a lawyer, sociologist, graduated from the Institute of Political Studies in Paris (Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris).

He was member of the French government as Minister Trade (1978 – 1979), Minister of Health and Social Security (1979 – 1981), Minister of Labour (1995 – 1997). He has three children.

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