Poland to represent U.S. interests in Syria

On 6 February 2012, the government of the United States of America decided to close its embassy in Damascus. Simultaneously, the U.S. Department of State – taking into account the special nature of Polish-American relations and Poland’s position in the Middle East – requested that the authorities of the Republic of Poland represent U.S. interests in Syria. In keeping with the principle of international solidarity and the long tradition of Polish-American friendship, Poland has agreed to the request.

An agreement was signed on 5 February 2012 whereby tasks associated with providing emergency consular services to U.S. citizens staying in Syria and caring for U.S. embassy property in the country will be taken over, as of today, by the American Interests Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Damascus.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state that Poland will spare no effort to ensure the appropriate and professional representation and protection of U.S. interests in the Syrian Arab Republic by our diplomats, as was the case between 1991 and 2003 when Poland represented American interests in Iraq.

Polish embassy contact details for U.S. citizens: e-mail damaszek.usint@msz.gov.pl; telephone +963 954 666 693

Marcin Bosacki
Press Spokesman