Poland's Prime Minister asks Taoiseach to back an air defence system over Europe

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk (right) told Taoiseach Simon Harris (left) at a meeting in Rzeszow, Poland, on Thursday that “an advanced and modern air defence system” is needed for European security. Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA

Poland has called on Ireland’s support for a dome air defence system over Europe.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told Taoiseach Simon Harris at a meeting in Rzeszow, Poland, on Thursday that “an advanced and modern air defence system” is needed for European security.

Earlier this year, Polish and Greek prime ministers submitted a letter to the European Commission calling for the creation of a Europe-wide air defence system. Poland has seen missiles enter its airspace following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which it borders.

Poland is “experiencing incidents in our airspace” which should be sufficient grounds for everyone in Europe to create the dome over the European sky, Mr Tusk said.

“Only a Europe that can protect its border and its territory can develop economically,” Mr Tusk said.

I count on Dublin to argue in favour of this when we will argue for protecting our interests.

Mr Tusk called for Ireland’s support “so that our policy of protecting the eastern border becomes a European, not just a Polish policy".

“I am certain that these actions will be supported by our representatives in the European Commission,” he said.

Mr Tusk said he also discussed how to leverage mutual Polish-Irish understanding and friendship for new European policies in the areas of security and of competitiveness.

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“Here we can share competencies. We can create a Polish-Irish synergy,” Mr Tusk said. “We will co-operate not just in the European Commission and Council, but also on an everyday basis as Poles and as residents of Ireland.” 

Ireland sets an important global example as a militarily neutral country which also supports in an unequivocal way the victims of aggression, Mr Tusk said.

“The world is gaining a better understanding to a certain extent following the example of Ireland that neutrality cannot mean indifference towards evil,” Mr Tusk said.