Warsaw to recall its ambassador to Prague after criticism from Poland | News | DW

The Polish government said on Thursday that the country’s new ambassador to Prague would be recalled after comments that appeared to blame Warsaw in a dispute over a border coal mine.

Warsaw said Polish Ambassador Miroslaw Jasinski made unacceptable comments about Poland’s disagreement with the Czech Republic.

Polish government spokesman Piotr Müller tweeted that Jasinski would be sent back to Warsaw.

“Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has decided to initiate the procedure for recalling the Polish Ambassador to the Czech Republic,” said Müller. “Extremely irresponsible statements about the Turow mine are not acceptable. “

Long-standing conflict

The reference to the Turow mine concerns a long-standing dispute with the Czech Republic, which wants the facility closed.

Speaking to DW’s Polish service, the ambassador said he was confident that an “amicable” solution to the dispute would be found.

However, Jasinski went on to address the origins of the dispute, saying it stems from “a lack of empathy, a lack of understanding and a lack of willingness to engage in dialogue, especially on the Polish side. “.

Last September, the highest court in the European Union ordered Poland to pay Brussels a daily fine of € 500,000 (around $ 565,000) for failing to close the massive mine, which extracts lignite, a poor quality lignite.

Warsaw had been ordered by the court in May to stop mining after Prague complained that it created a cross-border environmental risk and violated EU law.

Polish reluctance

The Polish government says closing the mine would put the country’s energy security “at risk”. The mine powers a power plant, providing around 7% of the country’s electricity.

Poland’s largest energy group, PGE, which owns both the mine and the plant, has announced plans to mine coal at Turow until 2044. Coal covers up to 80% of the country’s energy needs. Poland.

Edited by: John Silk