The closed-door meeting at the Presidential Palace will include Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Minister for Special Services Coordination Tomasz Siemoniak, and the heads of Poland’s four intelligence agencies: the Internal Security Agency (ABW), Foreign Intelligence Agency (AW), Military Counterintelligence Service (SKW), and Military Intelligence Service (SWW).
According to Kosiniak-Kamysz, the talks will focus on both national security issues and pending officer nominations in the ABW and SKW—promotions that have been stalled since November over disputes about access to classified information.
The ministers had formally requested the meeting in December, following President Nawrocki’s refusal to sign off on 136 officer appointments, citing a lack of essential briefings and repeatedly canceled meetings with agency heads.
Presidential spokesperson Rafał Leśkiewicz confirmed the president expects a full exchange of information before making a decision. “The most important thing is that the meeting is finally happening. Security should stand above political divisions,” he said.
Kosiniak-Kamysz expressed hope the meeting would resolve the impasse. “These are people who passed their exams and are prepared to serve,” he said. “We need to ensure young professionals are not made hostages of political disputes.”
He emphasized that defense and intelligence budgets have been significantly increased and that the country’s critical infrastructure protection has improved.
Siemoniak said the officer promotions should be finalized urgently. “This isn’t a minor issue,” he said. “It affects the functioning of the services and impacts hundreds of individuals.”
The dispute had drawn national attention after Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused President Nawrocki of blocking vital military appointments. Nawrocki, in turn, blamed the government for restricting his access to intelligence briefings.
Following government assurances that those restrictions have been lifted, Thursday’s meeting is expected to clear the path for long-awaited decisions. “We will inform the public of the conclusions after the talks,” Leśkiewicz said.
(jh)
Source: PAP