The  Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergei Lavrov, expressed satisfaction at the opportunity to meet the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Radosław Sikorski, in just under three weeks after the new Polish government had assumed office and Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared in his policy address a commitment to improved relations with Russia. Minister Lavrov declared an intent to treat Poland as an important member state of the European Union and NATO.

        Minister Sikorski affirmed that the new Polish government wished to open a new chapter in Polish-Russian relations, in a spirit of openness and dialog.  He stressed that Premier Tusk wanted to depoliticize various issues in mutual relations and to open channels of dialog at all levels. Minister Sikorski expressed satisfaction at the declaration that Russia intended to develop its relations with Poland on the same principles as with other members states of the Community and the North Atlantic Alliance.

        Minister Sikorski proposed invigorating the activity of the Polish-Russian Strategy Committee and of the Committee on Difficult Issues. On the Polish side, the latter will be chaired by  former foreign minister Adam Rotfeld, and on the Russian side, by Professor Anatoly Torkunov, Rector of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.

        Minister Lavrov conveyed President Vladimir Putin’s invitation for Premier Donald Tusk to visit Moscow next February. Minister Lavrov also invited Minister Sikorski and Deputy Premier Waldemar Pawlak to visit Russia in the near future.

        With regard to the embargo on imports of Polish meat and plant products, Minister Lavrov pledged to bring the work of the Russian inspectors to a speedy conclusion, which would make it possible to expeditiously resolve the dispute with Poland and the European Union. He declared that the work of the inspectors was nearing conclusion, in accordance with a schedule set by the Minister of Agriculture. The issue would be discussed during the visit to Russia early next week by Polish Agriculture Minister Sawicki.

        Minister Sikorski pointed out that Poland would  join the Schengen area on December 21, which would in turn  have certain consequences for citizens of the Russian Federation. The minister proposed holding consular consultations, with the aim of concluding an agreement on local border traffic.

        With regard to the missile defence project, Minister Sikorski proposed talks to obtain better knowledge of the Russian position. It was agreed that the talks would be conducted in December, at the level of deputy foreign ministers.

Piotr Paszkowski
MFA Press Spokesman