Poland in Belgium

Historical view

On March 6, 1919, the Belgian government recognized the Polish State de iure and the diplomatic relations were established. Aleksander Riedel was the head of the office, beginning from February 15, 1919. Władysław Sobański was the first diplomatic representative and began his office on August 29, 1919.

After the Second World War, the Belgian government recognized the Provisional Government of National Unity in July 1945 and proposed establishing diplomatic relations. On October 2, 1945, Poland and Belgium established diplomatic relations at the level of the legations. At the same time, the Belgian government notified the Government of the Republic of Poland in exile that it had withdrawn its recognition and denounced diplomatic relations, at the same time biding further activities to its representative in Belgium. The Consulate of the Republic of Poland in Brussels officially launched its services on October 15, 1945, and the Consulate of the Republic of Poland in Antwerp on October 17, 1945.

Diplomatic representations of Poland and Belgium were raised to the rank of embassies on March 9, 1957. In April 1957, Aleksander Wolski became the ambassador, followed by the following ambassadors: Jan Wasilewski (from 1961), Franciszek Modrzewski (from 1968), Stanisław Kociołek ( from 1971), Jerzy Feliksiak (from 1978), Janusz Fekecz (from 1980), Stanisław Matosek (from 1984), Tadeusz Olechowski (from 1990), Andrzej Krzeczunowicz (from 1992) , Jan Wojciech Piekarski (from 1997), Iwo Byczewski (from 2002), Sławomir Czarlewski (from 2007), Artur Harazim (from 2012) and Artur Orzechowski (from 2016).

Political cooperation after 1989

Bilateral relations are developing well, which was confirmed by the visit of the Belgian royal couple in Poland on 13-15 October 2015. It was the second official foreign visit of King Philip since his accession to the throne. The royal couple met, among others with the President of the Republic of Poland and the Speakers of the Sejm and Senate. On this occasion, also talks between foreign ministers D. Reynders and G. Schetyna took place and 14 partnership and/or cooperation agreements were signed by companies from both countries (for a total amount of EUR 100 million). The last official visit of the President of Poland to Belgium took place on 13-14.11.2012. On 27.01.2015, the Belgian royal couple, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium took part in the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. On 24.01.2018 Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel paid a visit to Poland and met with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. The talks concerned, among others bilateral issues, the future of the EU and Eastern policy. On 2.05.2019, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jacek Czaputowicz met with Minister D. Reynders in Poland. On 28.01.2019 Minister J. Czaputowicz paid a visit to Belgium and was one of the guests of honor at the meeting of Belgian ambassadors. The minister also took part in the inauguration of the exhibition “Armoured Wings” in the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces in Brussels. During that event the Polish 1st Armoured Division of General Stanisław Maczek was commemorated, which in the autumn of 1944 liberated a number of towns in Belgian Flanders.

In recent years, the inflow of Belgian capital to the Polish market has clearly accelerated. Over 700 companies with Belgian capital are registered in Poland. Among Belgian investors the largest number is of small and medium-sized enterprises. These enterprises invest mainly in the following sectors: financial-insurance, energy, food, construction materials, agricultural machinery and municipal services. In 2018, Belgium was the 13th export market for Poland in the world and the 9th largest importer in terms of imports. According to Central Statistical Office of Poland data, the value of Polish exports to Belgium in 2018 amounted to 5.15 billion euros, imports from Belgium amounted to 5,6 md euros. The negative balance in Poland's economic exchange with Belgium has been virtually unchanged since the 1990s. A characteristic feature of Polish-Belgian trade is its strong concentration on the Flemish Region. Approximately 85% of the total turnover between Poland and Belgium is implemented with Flanders, 13% in Walloon Region, and 2% for the Brussels-Capital Region. Negative trade balance for Poland occurs in trade with Flanders and Walloon Region, only in trade with the Brussels-Capital Region we notice a surplus.

The cooperation in the field of culture between Poland and Belgium is regulated by the Agreement between the Polish People's Republic and the Kingdom of Belgium on cultural and scientific cooperation signed in 1974, which as a result of political changes in Belgium was replaced by the Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Poland and the Government of Flanders from 6 June 1994 and the Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Poland and the Cabinet of the French Community of Belgium and the Walloon Government signed on October 10, 1996. In addition, cultural cooperation is regulated by the Cooperation Program for 2015-2017 between the Government of the Republic of Poland and the Government of Flanders. Since 2009, the Polish Institute has been operating in Belgium (as the Cultural of the Polish Embassy in Brussels). The main goal of the Institute's activity is to promote Polish history, language and culture in Belgium, present current Polish intellectual and artistic achievements and to promote the contribution that Poland has made in the shaping of European culture and identity. In its activities, the Polish Institute tries to reach a diverse audience (Flemish, Walloon and international), cooperating with local cultural institutions both in Brussels and in the regions of Wallonia and Flanders, as well as with Polish diplomatic missions in the Kingdom of Belgium and representatives of regions and Poles active on the local cultural scene.

Links:
Polish Institute in Brussels

Scientific cooperation with Belgium is developing on the basis of the intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement between Poland and Flanders on the one hand and between Poland and Walloon/ Brussels-Capital Region on the other. Agreements are signed for three years, the last one was signed with Flanders in February 2018 for 2018-2020.

The legal basis for the recognition of education obtained at approved university or authorized institution operating in the higher education system of EU Member State, OECD Member State or EFTA Member State - parties to an agreement on the European Economic Area (even if it is not mentioned in the above list) are relevant Polish law. Regarding information on the possibility of recognition of the Polish diploma one should contact with the ENIC-NARIC center in the selected country.

Recognition of academic qualifications

Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange

Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the European Union
Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Poland to NATO
National Military Representative at the Supreme headquarters Allied Powers Europe-Shape in Mons
Polish Insitute in Brussels
Polish Science Contact Agency (PolSCA)
Polish Tourism Organisation International Office
Polish Catholic Community in Brussels