On 8 September, Minister Sikorski also met with Republican congressman Mark Kirk, author of the draft amendments to the Pentagon budget act, which envisages the restoration of funds for the building of the missile defence shield in Poland and the Czech Republic. During the meeting, which lasted more than an hour, issues were discussed connected with the signing of the agreement to place the missile defence shield in Poland as well as relations with the Russian Federation, including the aspect of energy security and the consequences of the Georgian crisis. The issue of the future financing of the missile defence shield was discussed in detail as well as the chances of Congress granting additional funds for this purpose, and also Poland's involvement in the peace missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

        On the same day, Minister Sikorski met the Republican US presidential candidate, Senator John McCain. During the meeting, which lasted more than half an hour, the situation in the Caucasus was discussed as well as the role of Ukraine in maintaining the balance of power in Europe and the options for supporting that country. The issue of NATO's future was also raised.

        On Monday evening, Minister Sikorski took part in the opening ceremony of the refurbished Polish General Consul's Office in Chicago. Representatives of the local authorities took part in the ceremony as well as members of the American business, academic and Polonia communities. During the opening ceremony, Minister Sikorski awarded the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Diploma for outstanding services for the promotion of Poland to one of the most deserving institutions for the promotion of Poland – the Society for Arts. 

        On 9th December, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, met  representatives of the Polish community in America at the headquarters of the Polish National Alliance. After being welcomed by the President of the Polish National Alliance/Polish American Congress Frank J. Spula and following the introduction of representatives of the Polish American Congress from Illinois and neighbouring states, Radosław Sikorski took questions from the floor. The representatives of Polish Americans were interested in the course of negotiations on the missile defence program, and the significance of the signed agreement concerning the deployment of missile defence interceptors, in terms of Poland’s safety and other potential benefits to the country.  The discussion then moved on to Poland’s support for the former Eastern Bloc countries in realising their aspirations towards NATO and Europe, Polish, European Union and NATO’s relations with the Russian Federation, and progress on drawing up the act on the restitution of property and the social insurance agreement between Poland and the USA. The discussion also focused on the efforts which might be made to strengthen the Polish Americans presence in the social and political life of the USA. The Polish American representatives were also interested in the recently implemented Polish Charter, which brings Poland in the Visa Waiver Program, as well the possible involvement of Polish American businessmen in building the infrastructure for Euro 2012. There was a frank discussion regarding efforts aimed at encouraging Poles  with American citizenship, living in both Poland and the USA, to participate more widely in elections held in the USA at various levels.

        Minister Radosław Sikorski talked to the Mayor of Chicago, Mr Richard M. Daley, about the possibility of intensifying Polish Americans’ political involvement, their more frequent employment within the structures of local administration and about increasing their involvement in municipal authority elections. The talks also covered  the close relationship between Warsaw and Chicago and the implementation of the Sister Cities Program, involving both cities. Recent developments in the Caucasus, the approaching elections in the USA and Chicago’s candidacy for the 2016 Olympic Games were also discussed during the meeting. Minister Radosław Sikorski thanked Richard M. Daley for his unswerving support for the introduction of changes to make passenger traffic between Poland and the USA more convenient.

Piotr Paszkowski
MFA Press Spokesman

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• Visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Chicago