Speaking at a joint news conference in Warsaw, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said he and his Romanian counterpart Oana Toiu discussed the situation in Iran and the broader Middle East.
“We call on all sides to exercise restraint, respect international law and protect civilian populations,” Sikorski said.
He added that Poland stands in solidarity with Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Oman, which he said have been affected by the escalation despite not initially being parties to the conflict.
Ensuring the safety of Polish citizens in the region remains a priority, he said.
Asked about the potential impact of Middle East tensions on efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, Sikorski said the consequences were unclear but added that large quantities of cruise missiles and air defence systems were being used in the region.
“Whatever is used up will not be available for transfer or sale to Ukraine,” he said. “That effect is unfortunately certain.”
Sikorski also said the talks reaffirmed the strength of the Polish-Romanian strategic partnership established 17 years ago.
The ministers agreed to resume intergovernmental consultations, with a fifth round planned in Warsaw later this year, and to work on a new action plan for 2027-2031, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Sikorski said the two countries would restart their strategic dialogue at the level of deputy foreign and defence ministers and urgently launch a joint commission on defence industry cooperation.
The ministers also discussed a future trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Poland, Romania and Turkey in Bucharest, representing the three largest countries on NATO’s southeastern flank.
They pledged to strengthen cooperation within regional formats, including the Bucharest Nine and the Three Seas Initiative.
Sikorski said both countries agree that a strong trans-Atlantic partnership with the United States remains the foundation of European security, while Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defence.
Toiu noted that Tuesday marked the 105th anniversary of the signing of an alliance convention between Poland and Romania, describing it as the first such agreement in Europe aimed at enhancing mutual security.
She said the document retains historical significance given what she called continuing threats from the east.
"Beyond historical considerations, my presence here confirms our strategic partnership—Poland and Romania ensure the security and stability of the eastern flank," Toiu said.
She said she and Sikorski discussed steps including renewing their strategic dialogue, drafting a new action plan, strengthening the Bucharest Nine format, expanding defence industry cooperation and supporting Ukraine’s and Moldova’s aspirations to join the European Union.
Both ministers said their countries must strengthen their defence industries and allocate significant national funding for that purpose, while maintaining close cooperation with the United States within NATO and countering Russian hybrid threats.
Responding to reports in some Gulf media that an Iranian diplomat had mentioned Poland as a potential target of terrorist attacks, Sikorski said Iran had previously attacked third countries and had recently targeted states that had not attacked it.
"From this regime, one can expect anything," he said, adding that Poland has strengthened security at its embassies.
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Source: IAR, PAP, TVP Info
Click on the audio player above to listen to a report by Michał Owczarek.