The Polish delegation was headed by Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Marcin Przydacz and Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defence Marcin Ociepa. The Romanian side was represented by State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Iulian Fota and State Secretary at the Ministry of National Defence Simona Cojocaru.

Poland and Romania are strategic partners and Allies, bound by historical ties of close friendship and their active membership of NATO and the EU, as well as mutual military presence on the territories of both countries as part of NATO Forward Presence.

The consultations allowed for an in-depth discussion on current challenges for European and global security.

Poland and Romania reaffirmed their unequivocal support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal and illegal aggression. The discussion focused on further support for Ukraine, tightening sanctions against Russia, as well as further steps – in the light of the NATO Summit to be held in Madrid – to decisively strengthen the Alliance's long-term presence on the eastern flank as a whole, in view of a swift transition of Forward Presence into Forward Defence, including by permanent presence, exercises, re-positioning of equipment, and access to fuel.

The sides also discussed the draft of NATO’s new Strategic Concept, a document of paramount importance, given the Alliance’s responsibility for ensuring the security of the Euro-Atlantic area.

Both sides confirmed their strong interest in actively contributing to enhanced European security and transatlantic unity.

The partners also exchanged views regarding the implementation of the EU’s most recent strategic documents.

Moreover, the OSCE’s future role was discussed in the context of the Russia-provoked war and Poland’s current Chairmanship-in-Office of this organisation.

Both countries also agreed on the need to continue supporting Georgia and the Republic of Moldova.

The four officials underlined the unique importance of the Bucharest Nine (B9) format for regional security and transatlantic unity and expressed satisfaction with intensive cooperation in this format, including at the forthcoming B9 defence ministers’ virtual meeting and the B9 Summit in Bucharest.

Also discussed were prospects of close bilateral cooperation, including on the basis of the newly adopted agreement on cooperation in the defence industry.

Both sides agreed to continue consultations in this practical and results-oriented format.

 

Łukasz Jasina
MFA Spokesperson

Photo: Monika Dwulatek/Ministry of Defence