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Wersja polska

Minister of the Foreign Affairs,
Mr Radosław Sikorski,
on the goals of the Poland’s foreign policy for 2009

Mr President,
Mr Speaker,
Mr Prime Minister,
Members of Parliament,
Honourable Guests, your Excellencies and members of the Diplomatic Corps!

I am addressing you today to present the main tasks of Polish foreign policy. Yet I feel a moral obligation to precede the main part of my speech with a statement on the tragedy that has deeply shaken Poland and dominated the public debate, the savage murder of the Polish citizen, Mister Piotr Stańczak.

Not further than a week ago all signals bespoke that we were moving in the right direction. The kidnappers had extended their ultimatum. This was a sign that the ongoing talks and actions were bearing fruit. Hope appeared, only to make the news of the Pole’s death the more shocking.

This cruel murder was a reminder that terrorism is a looming form of crime. It is ideologized and fanaticized. It knows no religion or nationality. It contradicts the laws and moral norms of all cultures.

Terrorists don’t negotiate and they don’t seek compromise. A terrorist-fanatic speaks only the language of ultimatum. Pakistan, where the Pole was abducted, is in a state of internal war against terrorism, a war to which innocent citizens of that country fall victim every day. All this made our efforts exceptionally difficult. But we never gave up and together with the Pakistani authorities we continued negotiations as well as various operational, political and diplomatic efforts of a bilateral and international character.

Many of you, as indeed entire Poland, are asking: how could this have happened? Did we honestly go to all lengths to save the Pole? Knowing the story from the inside, I can assure you that we did. We did everything and, yet, we lost.

Although our best consular officers, diplomats and intelligence agents were assigned to the task, although we engaged all the authorities of our state, beginning with the president and prime minister, although we were assisted by allied intelligence services, although NATO Secretary General and the EU Commissioner for External Relations stepped in, although we actively cooperated with Pakistani authorities and groups close to the Taliban, despite all this, we did not succeed.

We believe that a tragic blend of circumstances contributed to the death of Mr. Stańczak: unreasonable political demands, the otherwise desirable Pakistani offensive in the region and internal quarrels between the Taliban commanders  - all beyond control of the Polish government.

We have joined the grim list of countries that have already suffered similar losses at the ruthless hands of armed fanaticism: the US, Great Britain, China, Germany, Japan and many others. A few days ago I conveyed my condolences to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of India, whose citizen died a few days ago the very same way.

We want to deliver sound information on the entire story. For the past few days we have presented it to the media, committees of the Sejm and the public opinion. At the request of the Prosecutor’s Office, I exempt all those who may have information on the subject from the duty to safeguard state secrets.

In about a month’s time the MFA and special services will have prepared a detailed report, which will be made available to the authorized institutions and the public, to the extent permitted by the protection of classified information.

Our efforts have not drawn to an end. They will not cease until we have regained the remains of the victim and brought the perpetrators to justice. As you know, I have posted a reward of one million zlotys for assistance in this cause.

Terrorism is a global threat, which we need to fight with solidarity, determination and increasing effectiveness. We have to engage all our possible resources and stand up to it on all fronts, so as to fend off further crimes. We  shall do that in the memory of Mister Piotr Stańczak and for the sake of other lives.

With that in mind, I ask you, Members of the Sejm, to preserve this topic from dominating our discussion on Polish foreign policy. Not because we wish to conceal anything or avoid accountability – since we are sharing our full knowledge – but for the sake of the Victim’s memory  and out of respect for the sorrow of his Family

Mr President,
Mr Speaker,
Mr Prime Minister,
Members of Parliament,
Honourable Guests, your Excellencies and members of the Diplomatic Corps!

This year is the time of particular reflection on the history of our Homeland. It incites us to summarize the past century. We might say that Poland, at the price of enormous sacrifice – won the 20th century. It is sufficient to compare where we stood in 1909, and where we are in 2009. Thus, we may draw at least two conclusions:

• first, we have all the historical and contemporary reasons to think of the future of Poland in the 21st century with optimism, faith in ourselves, and in our ability to survive even the hardest conditions, and to develop under the most adverse circumstances;
• second, at the times of some internal arguments, we should not forget how various attitudes of Poles in the 20th century merged into our collective success, achieved against alleged laws of the History. Advocates of the independence and realists, socialists and peasant activists, liberals and national democrats, advocates of the organic work and heirs of the uprising traditions rebuilt our country and put it together from the pieces which seemingly could not be matched. Those diverse traditions shaped the nation which stood united against two inhuman systems of fascism and communism, a nation that survived moving of national borders by hundreds of kilometres, annihilation of elites and entire social groups, as well as material and spiritual havoc. The Solidarity movement rose from that experience and triggered the chain reaction of the global fall of communism. Owing to the Solidarity, today we may enjoy security and prospects of modernisation which our country has not witnessed for several hundreds of years.

Security and favourable conditions of civilisational development are not given once and forever. An everyday effort is needed to predict and properly respond to challenges. The 21st century world turned out to be even more complex and unpredictable than we thought at the end of the previous century. Therefore we must keep setting new goals without forgetting the words of Seneca: “If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favourable”.

Honourable Members,

The government of the Civic Platform and the Polish People’s Party has been working for fifteen months. Summing up the foreign policy of the Government, we must remember that foreign policy goals are particularly affected by changes – especially those violent ones – in the international theatre. Such changes are the financial and economic crisis and the Russian and Georgian conflict. These are events of the past year that affected the international policy and the effects of which will considerably shape conditions for fulfilment of the goals of the Polish foreign policy for 2009.

The Russian and Georgian conflict made us realize the strength of thinking in the categories of power politics, exerting influence and of zero sum games in our neighbourhood, the neighbourhood of Poland and the neighbourhood of the European Union. It is the kind of thinking that should go out of date in the reality and neighbourhood of the European Union. This conflict also showed that such thinking leads to intricacies of nationalistic instincts and stereotypes, doctrinal hostility and forceful confrontation. Thus it carries an immense load for destabilisation.

The recent gas crisis made us realize again that fuels are used for the attainment of political goals. Lack of stabilisation may follow not only a burning, but also a frozen conflict.

The US financial crisis has transformed into a global economic crisis. Leaving the economic evaluation of the crisis aside, I would like to draw your attention to its socio-political aspect, to reactions of societies and states. A thing of particular concern in such reactions are not only elements of panic and blind emotions as seen on stock exchanges, but also fearful reactions of protectionist closure, circumvention of values and mechanisms of joint action. This crisis is becoming the time of trial, in particular for the Western civilization, which gave birth to the modern market economy, but also hedged it with mechanisms of regulation and correction, and initiated the integration process. Therefore in counteracting the crisis, we deem it necessary that cohesion and solidarity of actions of the European Union be strengthened.

Experience of the Presidency of France and the first weeks of the Czech Presidency in the Council of the European Union shows that the importance of each state is manifested in the face of unexpected situations. Plans polished for years ahead will no longer suffice. An American proverb says that if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. Today, what we really need is political culture and administrative effectiveness which would allow us to develop subjectivity in the face of unexpected challenges. Polish diplomacy must become a rapid response diplomacy as well.

Members of Parliament,

After more than a year of activities of the Government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, I would list eight positions on the side of assets of the Polish foreign policy.

First, we became more involved in deepening the integration of our continent. Poland became a predictable partner in Europe. It was able to provide a fast response during the days of the Russian intervention in Georgia, pressing for a fast and proper response of the European Union, believing that the European Community was the powerful force uniting all its Member States. This brought measurable effects in the form of the actions of French Presidency and, upon the motion of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, calling a special meeting of the European Council and termination of armed clashes. We will continue actions for the solution of the conflict. With values and goals of the whole European Union in mind, in 2008 we were able to effectively seek respect for our specific, Polish and Central European interests.

Second, by common effort of several ministries and the personal involvement of the Prime Minister in the negotiations, we achieved a success at the December summit of the European Council on the climate and energy package. The compromise reduces the costs of planned changes for our enterprises and households. It was made possible owing to co-operation of Member States from the Central and Southern Europe. We proved that solidarity of states of the region in matters where their interests converged was possible.

In co-operation with our European partners, we agreed on the mandate to negotiate the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Russia. The mandate considers our interests and the long-term European interests, such as interests related to the energy security. Today I may say with great satisfaction that as regards energy security, Europe speaks now the language of Poland and thanks Poland for its resolute position.

Third, we promoted the Polish and Swedish initiative of the Eastern Partnership, which, by the power of an internal EU decision, has transformed into a joint European project. This project manifests the power of Polish diplomacy, based on reliable projects and rational arguments. It affirms the EU’s recognition of Polish competencies on the Eastern affairs.

Fourth, we reinstated good neighbourly, partner dialogue with Germany. The past year was marked by intensive interactions crowned with the December inter-governmental consultations attended in Warsaw by members of the German Federal Government and Ms Chancellor Angela Merkel. Germany is our key ally and partner in the EU and NATO, an ally who appreciates Polish contribution to developing the spirit of integration and building the community of the Western world. We can also see that responsible political forces in Germany are able to correctly interpret the historical message. This can be manifested by the fact that the Government of Germany agrees with the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights which dismissed property claims of persons displaced after the Second World War.

Fifth, we unlocked the dialogue in the relations between Poland and Russia and demonstrated that we can have discussions with Russia without making concessions in essential matters. The essence of a better trend in Polish-Russian relations is simple. It is about leaving the rhetoric of, I would say, threatening Russia through a keyhole, for the benefit of the language of pragmatics and seeking compromise, whenever we see a sign of good will on the other side.

Sixth, together with the United States we adopted the Declaration on Strategic Co-operation, which provides among others, permanent deployment of Patriot missile battery. This Declaration accompanied the agreement on potential deployment of elements of the missile defence system in the territory of Poland. We are interested in elevating the dialogue with our American ally to the strategic level. Poland advocates that the US remains a ‘European power’.

Seventh, as declared by Prime Minister Donald Tusk during his Parliamentary statement, the Polish Army left Iraq with a sense of a well-fulfilled task, without harm to relations with Iraq or the United States. Owing to experience gained in Iraq, the level of military training increased, army modernisation was accelerated, and the soldiers who participated in the mission became the elite of our contemporary army. Released resources and funds allow us to strengthen our role in the NATO mission in Afghanistan.

Eighth, we started the reform of the Polish foreign service. I may assure you that the reform is prepared in accordance with the best European practices, in particular of the diplomatic services which are known for their ability to combine cost consciousness with effectiveness. This process will be heralded by the merger of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Committee for European Integration. Following the merger, a new Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be actually established. Besides classic foreign policy, the Ministry will be responsible for co-ordinating European affairs, namely the dimension in which civilisational interests of Poland are decided.

Members of Parliament,

In summarizing year 2008 and discussing the assets, I cannot omit the liabilities.

First, the crisis surrounding ratification of the Lisbon Treaty is the joint failure of Europe. We are certain that the Treaty serves our interests by strengthening the political dimension of the European Union, reinforcing solidarity and deepening the integration, in particular in foreign and security policy. We already know that it is safer to sail the stormy waves of global politics and economy not on a national boat, but on a European liner.

The Government believes that finalisation of ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty lies in our interest since we need the European Union to be thriving and to act in unison in external relations, and to guard principles of free competition and drawing power from diversity of its Member States while in internal affairs.

Second, despite co-operation with Mr President and co-operation with the US, we failed to convince all of our allies within NATO to grant Membership Action Plans to Ukraine and Georgia.

Third, the visas. Polish citizens are able to travel almost anywhere without visas. Last year, Australia and Canada abolished visas for Polish citizens. Unfortunately, the United States still did not include Poland in its non-visa programme, and our citizens are not always properly treated by the US immigration service.

As I already mentioned, our joint, tragic failure were actions co-ordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which unfortunately failed to save our citizen kidnapped in Pakistan from death. 

Honourable Members,

In my statement on the foreign policy presented to the Sejm of the Republic of Poland in April 2008, based on guidelines of the Prime Minister, I defined five priorities:

• Poland strong in Europe, a patron and promoter of Europe’s eastern policy;
• Poland as a strong link in the North Atlantic Alliance;
• Poland as an attractive brand: a country of success which loves freedom and knows how to share freedom;
• Poland as a country which supports its diaspora and which is fuelled by its vitality;
• Polish diplomacy as an effective service.
  

These priorities remain valid. These are strategic goals which will be pursued in the works of the current Government over the next years. We will fulfil these goals with unrelenting consistency despite the international crisis and turbulences.

Members of Parliament,

Integration of our continent constitutes an optimum response of Europe, until recently weakened by conflicts of the states and confrontation of blocs, to challenges presented by new and old powers in the developing, multi-polar world. It also provides an opportunity for Poland to display its advantages in the team play in global fields of competition, in one of the strongest teams of the world. It is our vital interest that Europe develops its political and economic potential and that the values which lay at the heart of the European project retain their inspiring power.

At the same time we know that the European Union is a competition stage and our goal in the politics of the EU is to protect Polish interests. We believe that budgetary funds at the EU’s disposal should correspond to the EU’s goal. This is valid for the cohesion policy, common foreign and security policy, agricultural policy and support for innovations and scientific research. We would also like to remind of the principle incorporated in the Treaty of Rome which provides that each European state which fulfils the criteria may apply for membership in the European Union.

We are in favour of strengthening the Community method of action with retained principle of unanimity on the issues which are the most important for the interests of the Member States. As elections to the European Parliament will take place this year and new composition of the European Commission will be appointed, we will seek noticeable presence of Polish representatives in Community institutions.

The Czech Republic as the first of the Visegrád Four assumed Presidency in the Council of the European Union. We support priorities of the Czech Presidency, in particular inauguration of the Eastern Partnership and reinforcement of the European energy solidarity. In preparing for the Polish Presidency in the Council of the European Union, we will establish in-depth co-operation with Denmark and Cyprus, our partners in group Presidency. Hungary will be also a close partner of ours, as they will hold Presidency in the European Union before Poland does.

Honourable Members,

We are using our current Presidency in the Visegrád Group to deepen co-operation on that forum. Not only do we share similar experience with the Visegrád and Baltic States, but common interests in the European Union as well.

We will still actively participate in the works on the Community strategy for the Baltic Sea and in the reform of the Council of the Baltic Sea States. When Sweden takes over the helm of responsibility for the Community affairs, we will use this opportunity to continue intensive co-operation with our Baltic neighbour.

For decades co-operation between Germany and France continued to be the pillar of stability for Europe and the driver behind integration. Co-operation within the Weimar Triangle presents an opportunity for Poland to participate in actions which are important for the entire European Union.

Germany is our neighbour, ally and the main economic partner in the Community. We have some problems in bilateral relations, but then again, will you not find problems in relations between two other members of the Weimar Triangle? In spite of appearances, such problems do not only arise from the conflict-ridden history of the last several hundred years, but also from objective differences in the potential, level of civilisational development, and the dynamics of internal processes. Such issues should not be clad with historical costume but made the subject of reflections and solutions. Even with problems, relations can be good or bad. We prefer the good ones. Yet we do not forget the history. What is more important is the common, Polish and German, feeling of responsibility for the future of the European Union. Co-operation between Poland and Germany proves that we should remember about our history and jointly create the future, considering the national and Community interest.

Relations with France, settled in a rich landscape of shared history, are filled with the content of strategic partnership. As with Germany, we are united by the will to build a strong European Union, active in relations with neighbours of Europe in the South and European neighbours in the East. We can use a number of proven mechanisms of co-operation with the Mediterranean countries to implement the Eastern Partnership, and thus reinforce the European Neighbourhood Policy.

Honourable Members,

After 20 years of successful system transformation and integration with the Western structures, Poland takes its deserved place among the leading players of the European league.

We can only fulfil our aspirations when Poland joins the debate on the subjects which are important for the entire European Community and brings its own ideas and initiatives.

In the second half of 2011 Poland will assume Presidency in the Council of the European Union. As we prepare for the Presidency, we are setting priorities for the Presidency today, priorities such as the eastern dimension of the Union, or, in a wider context, the development of the Common Foreign and Security Policy.

The shape of Polish Presidency depends on the future of the Lisbon Treaty. We hope that the Treaty will come into effect this year. We are also preparing for the eventuality that we have to assume duties of the state in charge of the works of the European Union, in accordance with the currently governing Treaty of Nice.

From the viewpoint of Polish interests, it is particularly important to implement the Eastern Partnership. The Partnership will provide significant support to our European partners in the East to carry out modernisation reforms. Effective completion of the reforms will translate to high standards of political and economic life, bringing such states closer to fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria.

We support the integration of Ukraine with institutions of the Western world. But it should be Ukraine which desires such integration the most. Modernisation effort will require nation-creating feeling of responsibility and determination in implementing reforms from the Ukrainian society and elites in particular. However, we should remember that despite all of the shortcomings, Ukraine is a democracy, namely a country in which the winner of elections is not actually known before the election.

We hope that Belarus will also chose the European view and open the path for tighter relations with the Western neighbours and the entire European Union. The scope of co-operation depends on the willingness of the Belarusian authorities to liberalise the political system. Poland will support efforts for development of the democratic society in Belarus, where all citizens, including Poles, associated in independent organisations will be able to freely express their opinions, needs and aspirations.

Honourable Members of Parliament,

We are concerned about the lasting instability in the Caucasus region, which plays an important role in the transit of fuels to Europe. After the Georgian and Russian conflict, which – as we wish to believe – was exceptional in nature, along with our allies we are particularly sensitive to the situation in this region. Once again I would like to re-affirm our solidarity with Georgia and recognition for its territorial integrity and I would like to declare that we will remain an advocate for the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Georgia. We are encouraging the European Union to solve frozen conflicts in the region.

Russia is a strategic partner of the European Union. We are aware that the potential for developing mutual relations with Russian on the foundations of common values is extremely limited today. Therefore we propose that clear rules of co-operation are established, the ‘rules of the game’ for the relations, without swaying the existing institutional architecture in the European and Euro-Atlantic area.

We are looking forward to a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Russia that is in line with our interests. Unlocking of negotiations in this matter allowed us to affect the policy of the entire Community towards Russia. The European Union should pursue a common strategy in relations with its eastern neighbourhood, as with numerous other states. It is commonly believed that Europe needs Russia and this is true. We believe that Russia needs Europe even more.

Members of Parliament,

Poland bases its security on three pillars: membership in the North Atlantic Alliance, which proved to be the most effective alliance of collective defence in history, membership in the European Union, which develops its defensive capacity, and bilateral relations, in particular with the United States.

For ten years of our membership in NATO we have proven to be a reliable ally. In addition to increased security and political benefits, NATO membership has also brought investments of the Alliance in our defensive infrastructure. Polish soldiers take part in numerous missions of the Alliance, often paying the highest price, as this week. At the end of this January, nearly two thousand of our soldiers participated in various NATO operations.

Currently, given the new international situation and new nature of threats, we believe time has come to work out a new strategic concept for the Alliance.

We are in favour of ensuring balance among tasks arising out of Art. 5 of the Treaty of Washington, which refers to mutual defence of allies in their territory and external missions of the Alliance. We support the policy of the ‘open door’ to the Alliance, which we benefited from.

We would also like the stabilisation missions in which Polish soldiers participate to better reflect priorities of the Polish international policy. We are forced to resign from some foreign military missions under the pressure of the economic crisis. To underline our responsibility as an ally, we will not exchange participation in harder missions for easier ones. On the contrary, by resigning from easier missions, we are increasing our involvement in harder missions, such as the most important NATO operation in Afghanistan.

Poland will participate in the development of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). We attach particular significance to the development of Community’s capacity to react during crisis situations. We care about complementary support and co-operation of NATO and the European Union. In 2008 we became a member of the Eurocorps.

Through anti-terrorist actions in Afghanistan, NATO military power is to improve the security, while the humanitarian and development aid of the European Union is to assist in winning the civilians to the government’s side. If both organisations, which we are a member of, fully co-operated, we would achieve much more. Unfortunately, it is not so.

The NATO mission in Afghanistan is a priority to us, since the credibility of the Alliance is at stake. The goal of allied actions is to reinforce the role of the Afghan authorities in the process of stabilisation and reconstruction and to prevent this country from becoming a terrorist base again. The Polish involvement has been manifested through an increase in the number of soldiers who participated in the operation last year. Assumption of responsibility for the Ghazni Province has made Polish contribution more visible and allowed us to exert greater influence on the progress of the operation.

Poland supports the unity of the West and the best possible co-operation between Europe and the United States. This Partnership performed well at the most difficult times of the Cold War and we would not like the common enemy to be the only think which mobilizes Europe and the United States to act together. We believe that the fundamental values and common interests will remain the best trans-Atlantic bond. The term of office of President Barack Obama, inaugurated a few weeks ago, gives us hope to renew the Western alliance.

Poland cares about the best possible relations with the United States. It is with satisfaction that we greet the opening of a new chapter in the American foreign strategy. We hope that the United States quickly reinstate their position as the wise and democratic leader which Europe needs. We actively participated in preparation of the proposal of co-operation presented by the European Union to the new American administration. We are interested in the new areas of co-operation for international institutions, fostered by the ‘multilateral moment’ in the policy of President Barack Obama.

In bilateral relations, Poland will reinforce co-operation on security and aim towards deepening the strategic dialogue. We are interested in expanding the infrastructure of military and political relations and fulfilment of specific goals of upgrading armed forces, the air forces, and the fulfilment of economic goals.

We are ready to finalise the bilateral negotiations on the package of agreements related to co-operation on the missile defence. We also understand that the final decision on the missile shield will be made by the administration of President Barack Obama after careful consideration of all aspects of this project. Regardless of the US decision on this matter, we expect that the Declaration on Strategic Co-operation is fulfilled.

We will continue to tighten co-operation with Great Britain. We are brought together by a strong will to improve trans-Atlantic relations and a vision of effective North Atlantic Alliance, responsive to contemporary challenges.

We will continue to perform actions to maintain the rank and importance of multilateral mechanisms to control conventional armament and measures for building trust and security. The future of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) faces particular challenge since Russia has suspended to perform this Treaty. 

We will maintain the stance of Poland on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The most important step will be organisation of a regional meeting of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) in Poland in June 2009, with participation of EU institutions and the Member States. We will also continue to be involved in matters related to the control of arms export and imposition of sanctions.

The United Nations is indispensable for solving global problems: starting with security issues, including disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons, to the challenges of climate changes, to actions for relieving global inequalities, which are often the side effects of globalisation. The UN plays a particular role in the regions of unrest, in particular the role in seeking solutions to the Middle East conflict. These actions will be supported by the fulfilment of the announcement by the new US President on reinforcing the principle of multilateralism in international relations.

On the anniversary of the fall of communism, we cannot forget about the role of our country in the field of respecting human rights, democracy and promoting the rule of law. We want the standards of the Council of Europe to be respected. We are content that the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights is based in Poland. The Secretariat of the Community of Democracies is also based in Poland. We intend to submit a draft Act to regulate the status of these international institutions in Poland. We are considering that Raphael Lemkin Award be created,  named after a Polish lawyer, who coined the term of ‘genocide’.

Honourable Members of Parliament,

As it has been proved by the latest controversies between Russia and Ukraine, the disturbances on the market of energy raw materials have enormous political impact, the scale of which exceeds beyond bilateral relations. Today the whole Europe recognizes the power of arguments concerning the energy safety presented by subsequent Polish governments.

We support the endeavours aimed at reducing Europe’s dependence on external energy supplies by diversifying sources and transmission routes, creating a single EU market for energy carriers and extending the internal transmission infrastructure. We strongly advocate for the adoption of an ambitious EU policy concerning the safety of supplies of energy raw materials. We propose amendments to the relevant community regulations so that the mechanism of the “energy solidarity” could be triggered in a situation when fifty per cent of the gas supplies to a single Member State become endangered and not as late as today, when already twenty per cent of supplies to the whole European Union are at risk.

At the same time Poland wants to remain an important transit state. We would also like to remind that the energy safety of some states cannot be built at the expense of the others. Therefore we reiterate our offer to deliver gas from Russia to the consumers in the Western Europe in the cheapest possible way, i.e. by building a new section of the Yamal-Europe pipeline.

For our part, we continue the policy that consists in diversification of sources and routes of supply of energy carriers to Poland. The new, significant direction of the activities undertaken by the Polish government in this respect shall be the countries that form part of the Eastern Partnership as well as the Persian Gulf states.

We will engage in negotiations over the global agreement concerning the climate protection for the period after 2012 that would replace the Kyoto Protocol.

Thanks to the Climate and Energy Package we have successfully negotiated with the European Union we have prevented the electricity price increase that would cost our economy around PLN 100 billion. Instead we have been given a real opportunity to obtain PLN 60 billion for modernization of the Polish energy sector.

Honourable Members,

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs monitors the efforts of the international community aimed at increasing the stability of global financial system and counteracting the effects of the current crisis. As the twenty-first economy in the world and one of the biggest Member States of the European Union we proactively participate in those undertakings as a member of international economic organisms. Our experiences gathered during the transformation from the command and control economy to the market economy predestine Poland to participate creatively in the works of groups and institutions that develop a new model of managing the financial and economic system. Our realistic plan of preparations to introduce the euro shall favour those endeavours.

Especially at the times of global crisis we have to make together every effort to demonstrate and popularise the economic attractiveness of Poland in order to maintain the inflow of investments and technologies to the maximum extent possible, to foster the confidence in products and services originating from Poland and as a consequence: to retain the existing workplaces and sustain the economic growth. We shall aspire to make it possible in close co-operation with the Ministry of Economy. Despite the economic crisis we will be present at the EXPO International Exhibition in Shanghai. It demonstrates our interest in developing commercial, investment and technological co-operation with Asian states.

Esteemed Members of Parliament,

We have introduced to the Polish Foreign Service the notion of public diplomacy. The task of the public diplomacy consists not only in the widely understood promotion of Poland. It also consists in convincing the public opinion abroad of the merits of our evaluation and understanding of international issues.

This year we celebrate various important anniversaries that stimulate the debate about the place of Poland in Europe and the reflection over Europe itself. The 70th anniversary of the breakout of the Second World War, the 20th anniversary of the collapse of the communist regime, the 10th anniversary of our membership in NATO and the 5th anniversary of our accession to the European Union mark the way our country has passed from the defeat suffered during the clash with totalitarian regimes of the 20th century to the triumph of liberty and complete integration with the Western structures. They also constitute milestones on our way to building a contemporary, united Europe. The celebration of the aforementioned anniversaries accompanied by political and artistic events shall be considered an opportunity to promote the knowledge about contemporary Poland – the country that fought in Europe “for our freedom and yours” and the country that nowadays strives for openness of interpersonal relations and co-operation within our continent.

Poland is proud of its image of a country that loves freedom and knows how to share it with others. The motto for the anniversary of the 1989 breakthrough shall be: ‘Freedom. Made in Poland’.

The ignorance of history is frequently a source of misunderstanding, controversies, and false interpretations. We will persist in counteracting unintentional and sometimes conscious falsifications of Polish history, including the misleading clichés that continue to appear in foreign mass media. We will insist on highlighting the need to create the area of common remembrance in Europe, based on historical truth and outlining the profile of our contemporary European identity. In this sense we will make history the science that teaches us about the future.

 We are implementing the “Framework Strategy for Promotion of Poland until 2015”. We aspire to reinforce the prestige of Poland on the international arena and present our country as an attractive place for investment, studies, scientific co-operation as well as leisure and different forms of tourism.

After the successful Polish Year in Israel we proceed to organize the Polish Season in the United Kingdom. The promotion of Poland’s image in the country that on numerous occasions became a hospitable home for many Poles is extremely important at the moment. Next year Poland and the whole world will celebrate the Year of Chopin. We are going to seize this opportunity in order to promote our country. Music is the language easily understood worldwide, and the universal message of the Chopin’s music has a distinctive Polish accent.

Honourable Members of Parliament

One of the most important tools for eliminating differences and mitigating conflicts worldwide is the development aid. The ability to provide such aid will confirm the improving status of Poland as a country that does not require development assistance anymore but is eager to render it to others. The desire to share our experiences of successful democratic and free-market transformation with other countries constitutes a constant identifier of Polish foreign policy and the essential component of “Polish brand”

Increased activity in terms of development co-operation, especially in Eastern Europe that constitutes our priority, as well as in locations where our military contingents have their bases, creates the image of Poland as a stockholder involved in strengthening the stability in the world.

We have to be aware that our partners from the European Union more often then before will expect Poland to fulfil our commitments and to earmark more than the current amount of PLN 1 billion for development aid. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has at its disposal 130 millions of the said amount. Creation of a professional Polish development aid system requires passing of an appropriate bill. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall submit the draft of the relevant bill to be signed into law.

Members of Parliament,

Now I would like to refer to the issues concerning Polish communities abroad and Polish minorities.

In our relations with neighbours, especially with Belarus, but also with Lithuania and Germany, we will continue to emphasize the necessity to respect the rights and the needs of Polish minorities that live on their territories. Simultaneously we shall require respect for equality of community labour and social rights of over million Polish citizens that reside in other European states and contribute with their hard work to the growth of their wealth and the wealth of the whole European Union.

In supporting the access to Polish education, language and culture we will  facilitate the Poles that live abroad to participate in the life of their homeland. This will be achieved by amendments to the electoral law. We also carry out an informative campaign that helps them come back to Poland.

We will aspire to create a more partner-like model of co-operation with Polish organizations and milieus abroad that are eager to involve themselves in supporting Polish interests in relations with other states. I refer to those Polish communities that do not limit themselves to asking “what Poland can do for them” but also “what they can do for Poland”. We are also open to co-operation with communities that do not belong to Polish diaspora but are related to Poland by their origin, language, culture or sentiment. We have many friends among them and we want to cultivate those friendships.

 The freedom of travel, resulting from the Poland’s accession to the Schengen Convention is combined with more responsibilities for protecting the frontiers of the Union, both the geographical and the “procedural” ones. For many foreigners, especially our eastern neighbours, these duties create more obstacles to their visits to Poland. We try to mitigate that effect by executing conventions on small cross-border traffic. The most important one, with Ukraine, was signed in December 2008 and submitted to Sejm for approval. Therefore I ask you, Honourable Members of the House, to ratify this convention as soon as possible.

Polish consular service is faced with a new and difficult task. The latest tragedy in Pakistan and the evacuation of Polish citizens from Iraq, Georgia or Gaza Strip demonstrate that assuming part of responsibility for global security also poses some threats. Practically, there is no natural disaster or tragedy in the world without Polish victims. Therefore, despite the restriction on expenditures we do not give up the project of creating fast-reaction consular services for crisis situations. I would like to appeal to our fellow citizens to treat the new threats seriously and use our information and advice concerning foreign travels and take into account the warnings published on the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The liquidation of several consular posts does not lead to provision of deteriorated services to the interested citizens. Wherever the situation requires, we establish new offices. Last year we opened consulates in Manchester and Reykjavik and this year we are going to open offices in Sevastopol and Vinnitza.

Moreover, we will use more extensively solutions offered by modern technologies to establish ‘mobile consulates’ and a call centre, or to provide consular services online through a ‘virtual consulate’.

We plan to use more effectively and partially turn into professionals the group of 150 honorary consuls who currently serve Poland in 94 countries. We will extend their powers and involve them in the implementation of political, community and promotional projects, providing them with broader support than to date.

Thanks to those changes Polish consular service will become more efficient and closer to the citizens. We are fully aware that many Polish and foreign citizens develop their opinion about the Polish diplomacy on the basis of their contacts with consuls, their effectiveness and their attitude towards the people.

Esteemed Members of Parliament,

I ask you today, Honourable Members, to amend he Foreign Service Act in the year 2009. The amended act will give a new shape to Polish diplomacy enabling the foreign service to meet the challenges and will be more adequate to the resulting tasks. We also have to increase the competitiveness of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the labour market. The work in diplomatic corps is a service that requires round-the-clock availability and often sacrificing the family life. Meanwhile the salaries paid for this job and the social conditions offered to the families of diplomats, however improved since the day I took the office of the Minister, are not comparable with the salaries earned in private sector or offered by the international institutions that have become strong competitors for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign policy also requires representation at an adequate level. Polish embassies and consulates, lacking repairs for many years now, located in not-so-fine districts do not constitute the evidence of frugality but are simply a flaw in the country’s prestige. We should provide Polish embassies and consulates with functional offices in decent locations, and Polish ambassadors should have presentable residences, which are, first of all, their workplaces and then their homes. We have already made initial decisions in this respect that have translated into the purchase of new buildings for embassies in Georgia and for the Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Poland to the European Union in Brussels and also a new residence for the ambassador of the Republic of Poland in the United States. This year we will commission a new building of the General Consulate in Lviv and – despite the crisis – we will carry on with several critical investments, among others the Polish Embassy in Berlin, as well as the computerization of the whole Ministry.

The Council of Ministers has adopted a decision that starting from the year 2010 the key investments for foreign representation of Polish interests, including first of all the construction of diplomatic offices in Berlin, will be financed on the basis of governmental long-term programme. In our opinion the programme will also include the indispensable investments in the infrastructure of our delegations in the East, including Moscow, Kiev and Minsk.

The implementation of the program of strategic investments in the residential infrastructure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within the next years would allow us to take advantage of this important asset, which is a global network of appropriately organized and equipped offices. The network will be used not only by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but also by other state institutions and also by our tourists, businesspersons and local friends of Poland and Polish communities. But in order to make this global network really efficient, mobile, and dynamic there is a need for consistent implementation of the second big modernization programme that consists in the comprehensive overall computerization of the whole Ministry initiated last year. At the beginning of our term we encountered the biggest delays in this particular area and this is the very field where, due to our future presidency of the European Union, we have the least time for changes. Last year we made some investments in this area that brought the Polish diplomacy into the 21st century. But now we have to go further on in order to reach the standards characteristic of our main partners and competitors.

Many of the changes that took place last year would not have been possible without the decisions made by the Members of the House in respect of the budget.  Thank you again for them. As I appreciate the acceptance thereof by members of all the parties, I would like to remind you, that we spend the public money sparingly. All the more, items justified only by historical reasons cannot be financed. This was the reason for sometimes distressing decisions about liquidation of more than ten posts and several hundreds of jobs abroad, the existence of which had been unjustified for years. At the same time those decisions were accompanied, as in previous years, by creation of a few new, indispensable posts and dozens of jobs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has had a long history of lack of proper financing.  In 2008 the share of foreign affairs in the state budget amounted to 0.34 per cent. Meanwhile the French spend 1.6 % of their budget on diplomacy, and the Germans spend 0.91%. The example of Spain is particularly impressive: with GDP twice higher than the one of Poland, the Spanish expenditures on diplomacy are six times higher than ours.

The economic crisis, and in particular the sudden depreciation of zloty against foreign currencies in which we make more than 60 per cent of our expenses, means for us currently more than a 20% decrease in the real value of the ministerial budget. In the long run such a shortage cannot be covered even by the most extensive, but rational thriftiness. The Polish diplomatic service may be – like a modern army – a little less numerous, but it must be incomparably better trained, remunerated, equipped, mobile and efficient. I hope that you, Members of the House, and the whole political class in Poland will understand this approach.

Members of Parliament,

Efficient preparations for presidency of the Council of the European Union constitute the most formidable challenge to the Polish diplomacy from the time of Poland’s accession to the European Union. That will be an examination in efficient organization, coordination within the Union, negotiations and essential competences.  We must prepare ourselves well to it. The success of the Polish presidency will be the best tool for promoting the image of modern Poland. Therefore I am asking you already today, Honourable Ladies and Gentlemen, to support our preparations.

Members of the House,

The essence of the philosophy of (adopting) foreign policy advocated by the government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk is that we want to act towards negotiations and not towards confrontation. We have passed on to constructing alliances, thus avoiding the articulation of our demands, which is little efficient, but offers the delusive feeling of “moral superiority”. We are open to dialogue and exchange of arguments. Not only with our friends and allies, but also with those, with whom we do not share common values and interests, but with whom we share the responsibility for the security and future of our planet. “This is because dialogue consists in constructing mutuality.” And this does not mean at all decreasing the scope of or weakening the will to strive for the basic interests of the Republic of Poland.

Compromise is the “daily bread” of diplomatic service, which needs to react to challenges that arise in the world of problems and threats and which exhibit many shades of gray. Similarly as arrogance and impudence should not be mistaken for courage, compromise is not an evidence of weakness. Compromise is an expression of maturity, which means the ability to define the boundary conditions for concessions and to set lines that may not be crossed.

In the Polish debate on foreign policy there are definitely too many strong words and accusations of clientelism.  Meanwhile, foreign policy should not be strong or weak. It should be efficient. Therefore I am asking you, Members of the House, to assess my work on the basis of long-term results, and not of the strength of banging the desk with my shoe.

This is what Polish foreign policy is today: reliable and open to co-operation, able to accept different points of view, but ready to oppose when the viable interest of the state is at stake; playing chess and not Russian roulette.

I believe that my mission is to model courageous and thoughtful diplomacy against the background of global political turning point. The world is quickly leaving the two decades of illusions that arose after the end of the Cold War. Our diplomatic service enters the 21st century in a situation where demand is growing for Poland as one of the organizers of the European and the Atlantic political process. This is how we also see the position of our country: a thoughtful partner and stabilizer and a constructor of bonds of co-operation in all directions.

Esteemed Members of Parliament,

I am aware that I have not managed to discuss many important issues within such a short time. Nevertheless, I would like to stress that implementation of the plan that I have presented requires co-operation with Mr President and with the Opposition. I want to state that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains open to such co-operation. This is because I am convinced that we all have the same goal: the well-being and prosperity of Poland.

I would like to thank you again, Members of the House, for listening to this statement and ask you to accept it. Thank you, Mr President and Mr Prime Minister, for your presence here. I believe that we will not have to wait for another 20 years until a future minister of foreign affairs in free Poland can perceive its affiliation with the leading countries of the world as something natural and self-evident.

Thank you very much.

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