Łukasz Jasina made the declaration at a news conference on Wednesday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
He met the media to summarise the foreign ministry’s activities in 2022 and outline its plans for 2023.
Support for Ukraine
Jasina said that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was a defining moment for Europe in 2022.
He noted that for the duration of the year, Poland was in charge of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
He told reporters that Poland had succeeded in its efforts to "extend the OSCE’s presence in Ukraine," as well as maintain the organisation’s "operational continuity" in Central Asia and the Balkans, the PAP news agency reported.
Moreover, Poland managed to ensure the OSCE presented “a consistent and relatively uniform stance on the Russian aggression,” he said.
Łukasz Jasina PAP/Albert Zawada
Jasina emphasised that Poland had been providing support to Ukraine ever since the Russian invasion began in February, as well as backing Kyiv’s bid to join the European Union, the PAP news agency reported.
In addition, “Poland is very much supporting a tough and strong EU stance on Russia, including the successive packages of sanctions against the Kremlin, but also against the Belarusian regime,” Jasina told reporters.
Partnership with UK, WWII compensation from Germany, support for NATO enlargement
Jasina said that 2022 "has seen a strengthening of Poland’s strategic partnership with Britain,” and a diplomatic push for compensation from Germany for World War II, an effort being overseen by Deputy Foreign Minister Arkadiusz Mularczyk.
Other highlights included Poland’s “strong support for Sweden and Finland’s application to join NATO,” and "improved cooperation with the countries of Asia and Africa," including the launch of Polish embassies in Rwanda and Sudan, according to Jasina.
He told reporters that top diplomats from some dozen countries, including Canada and Indonesia, visited Poland in 2022, notably to coordinate support for Ukraine.
Jasina said: “During this war, Polish diplomacy has demonstrated its capability and effectiveness; this war has also highlighted the fact that Poland must be part of any geo-political arrangement in Central Europe.”
Łukasz Jasina PAP/Albert Zawada
Plans for 2023: support for Ukraine a priority
Outlining plans for next year, Jasina said that Poland would continue to support Ukraine "as it stands up to Russian aggression."
He told reporters: “First and foremost, the year 2023 will see continued support for Ukraine; secondly, a continuation of efforts to inform the entire world, through our diplomatic missions, about Europe’s difficult predicament as it faces Russian aggression and violations of international law.”
Jasina added that the foreign ministry in Warsaw would also "make sure that Poland pursues an active policy as a member of international organisations.”
Thursday is day 309 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, wnp.pl