On 1 - 2 February 2008 in Brussels, the meeting of co-chairmen of history-related Group for Difficult Issues, with participation of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, professor D.A. Rotfeld and professor A.T. Torkunov, the Rector of MGIMO, was held. In the course of this meeting, both co-chairmen agreed upon future functioning of the Group in its new manning as well as evaluated the ways of using its achievements since its establishment in 2002. In the nearest future both parties shall do the inventory and evaluation of these developments.

        The co-chairmen agreed that the existing achievement of the Group was valuable regardless of its current functioning and acknowledged the importance of historical studies conducted by both sides, expressed its appreciation for the work carried out by other institutions, in this field.
The parties concluded that the value of the up-to-date achievement was unquestionable, emphasized the role of the existing published materials and praised the role of the media in conveying the message to the public opinion of both countries, referring to the Group’s activities in this historical area. The participants unanimously acknowledged the most positive role of the Polish-Russian co-operation, covering historical issues.

        The co-chairmen found vital to maintain the symmetry in the manning of the Polish-Russian Group. Both parties widely agreed that the Group should use expertise and social input of the people who not only are valuable in working closely with each other but are keen to share the same ideas in the study of the nature of the bilateral, historical relations.

        The participants of the meeting gladly acknowledged the essential role of the Polish-Roman Catholic Church and The Russian Orthodox Church in the process of building-up understanding and trust between the parties.
 It was, therefore, agreed that relevant consultations were to be carried out in order to invite both Churches to take part in the Polish - Russian dialogue.

        The co-chairmen unanimously shared the opinion that regardless of the official and scheduled sittings of the Group, its scientific and social activity should be encouraged. The project of the common scientific publication is highly on the agenda. The next gathering of the Group, in its new manning is scheduled for May 2008, in Warsaw.

Piotr Paszkowski
MFA Press Spokesman

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• Relations with Russia: current issues