Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki was in Sweden yesterday for talks on regional security and cooperation with his Swedish counterpart, Ulf Kristersson.
During yesterday’s meeting, Morawiecki and Kristersson reportedly discussed bilateral relations, European Union affairs, and preparations for Sweden’s accession to NATO.
Poland has been clear in its support for both Sweden and Finland to join the alliance, with Morawiecki reiterating in comments yesterday that both countries should be admitted to NATO “as soon as possible” and that it could be “a real game-changer” for “the global security architecture.”
In a statement issued before Monday’s talks, the Polish government’s spokesman, Piotr Müller, noted that Sweden currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU and has been busy coordinating work on a new package of EU sanctions against Russia.
After yesterday’s meetings, Morawiecki stated that both Sweden and Poland had agreed that sanctions should be “sharp enough to send a strong message to Russia and the Kremlin that we will not give up and that we will not give in to their pressure.”
EU leaders discussed a proposed 10th package of sanctions during their summit in Brussels last week.
Source: Radio Gdańsk, Polskie Radio
Prime Minister Morawiecki has proposed that former Georgian head of state Mikheil Saakashvili receive medical treatment in Poland in an effort to resolve an ongoing dispute over his care.
A video published by CNN over the weekend showed the former Georgian president collapsing near his bed in a hospital ward in Tbilisi. Saakashvili was President of Georgia from 2004 to 2013 and is now serving a six-year sentence for “abuse of power.”
During his time in prison, Saakashvili has gone on several hunger strikes, which have significantly affected his health and resulted in him losing an estimated 40% of his original body weight.
Georgian authorities claim that Saakashvili is receiving proper care at a hospital in Tbilisi and accuse the former president of purposely dramatizing his condition to secure an early release. Supporters and associates of Saakashvili say his sentence was politically motivated and have accused authorities of violating their duty of care.
Morawiecki announced on Friday that “Poland has proposed to the Georgian government that Mikheil Saakashvili could be treated in Poland” in an effort to resolve the dispute.
Source: Polskie Radio, Reuters
The first shipment of bikes for the popular Mevo shared biking program has arrived in Gdańsk in preparation for the launch of “Mevo 2.0” later this year.
All of the 95 new, cherry-colored bicycles are traditional models (without electric motors), with electric-assisted models set to arrive later. According to Katarzyna Kołodziejska of the Gdańsk-Gdynia-Sopot Metropolitan Area organization, Mevo bikes will be available on the streets of 16 districts in the Tricity area later this year.
Work is currently being carried out on the physical and digital infrastructure of the project, with parking stations and signage being renovated and rebranded and a new app and customer service system in development.
The six-year contract with Mevo’s new operator, Spanish company CityBike Global SA, was signed on February 8 last year. Under the current agreement, the company will provide an entirely new fleet of 4,099 Mevo bicycles, including 3,000 electric bikes.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
In honor of Valentine’s Day today, Radio Gdańsk will be offering an afternoon of special programming along with awards for winners of our most recent competition.
The most creative and unusual answers to the question of “How to express your feelings in more than just words?” will be awarded prizes and read aloud during a special Valentine’s Day program today from 12:00-15:00.
The program will also feature a unique Valentine’s playlist selected by Radio Gdańsk music editors.
More details on the program can be found at: https://radiogdansk.pl/reklama-rg/radiowe-konkursy/2023/02/10/wyraz-uczucia-i-wygraj-weekend-dla-dwojga-w-pieknym-hotelu-walentynkowy-konkurs-radia-gdansk/.
Source: Radio Gdańsk
Weather
Today will be mostly cloudy, with very little chance of rain and a gentle breeze coming in from the northwest. Temperatures will be similar to yesterday, with a high of 7°C or 44°F, dropping to a low of 1°C, or 36°F overnight. Colder weather is expected tomorrow, with warmer weather and some rain returning on Thursday.
Elizabeth Peck
