Polish President Karol Nawrocki said that cooperation within the B9 Format continues and is even stronger, adding that the participating states support expanding it to also include the Nordic countries - Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland - as well as Denmark.

Nawrocki made the remarks at the end of the B9 Summit in Bucharest, at a joint press conference alongside Romanian President Nicusor Dan and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

'I would like to congratulate Nicusor Dan for organizing this summit in Bucharest. It is indeed a very good moment to discuss our common positions and our shared needs ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara. We had a very good and constructive dialogue. Since its inception, the B9 Format has been described as the voice of the Eastern Flank. (...) Today I can say with full conviction that this cooperation continues and is stronger. We strongly support expanding the B9 Format to include the Nordic countries - Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland - as well as Denmark, thereby broadening our security perspective along the entire vertical of the Eastern Flank, from north to south, from the Arctic to the Black Sea, passing through the Baltic Sea. I am pleased that this plan is taking shape, and the participation of representatives from the Nordic countries was the best proof,' Nawrocki said.

The Polish President underlined that the Summit's Final Statement reaffirms the commitments to increasing defense spending and the need for firm measures to counter Russia's aggression.

'There is no doubt that in recent years NATO has implemented many decisions and succeeded in strengthening deterrence in our region. We therefore thank NATO for being responsive to the issues we raised. The Ankara Summit, in our shared view, should demonstrate - and will demonstrate - the Alliance's political unity and military strength in addressing the threats posed by the Russian Federation. We hope to send a strong message from Ankara regarding the acceleration of defense spending by all Allied countries. The commitments made in The Hague are not an upper threshold, but a target along the way - a recommendation,' Nawrocki said.

He noted that the discussions once again highlighted the need for solidarity, given that Russia 'is and will remain the most serious long-term threat' to NATO countries.

'The aggression against Ukraine is not a separate conflict; it is a direct challenge to the entire Euro-Atlantic security architecture. This is very clear. The Kremlin seeks to rebuild its spheres of influence, to undermine NATO's cohesion, and to erode the sovereignty and democracy of countries in our region. This is what our states are facing, and this is why the answer lies in solidarity. Despite the war in Ukraine, the Russian Federation unfortunately continues to have the capacity to rebuild and further develop its armaments. We are fully aware of this. We also observe with concern the expansion of military infrastructure along NATO's Eastern Flank, including in Belarus. Therefore, the unity of the B9 Format is not just a treaty, if you will - it is a duty of all our countries, a foundation around which we must conduct our discussions,' the Polish head of state underscored.

The President also stressed the importance of the transatlantic relationship, saying that all summit participants agree that 'there is no NATO without the United States'.

'This is reflected not only in statistics, but also in military and financial potential - that of the United States - and intelligence capabilities, a point highlighted in virtually all statements today. We clearly need a strong transatlantic relationship. Let me remind you that in Poland alone we had nearly 10,000 American troops. We must also remember - and this was part of our discussion - that this partnership requires member states to increase their own capabilities, and the European Union itself to strengthen its potential. We need a stable and solid partnership. We are strongly committed to these obligations,' he said.

Nawrocki added that he is not trying to convince his colleagues or 'those politicians across Europe who behave irresponsibly and undermine the alliances between the European Union and the United States'.

'These things serve Russia's interests, and we must be aware of that. (...) Unity, responsibility and solidarity - transatlantic solidarity - remain the most important prerequisite for deterrence today and for strengthening security across the entire region,' Nawrocki pointed out.

At the end of his remarks, the Polish President announced that the next B9 Summit will take place in Warsaw.

'You are all invited, and I hope we will be 14 - including the Scandinavian countries,' he concluded. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Florea; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)