Despite an important staff shortage and a heavy workload, the Consulate General headed by the laureate continues to successfully carry out all its tasks, building a positive image not only of the consular post, but also of Poland. Consul General Andrzej Raczkowski contributed to the release of Irena Biernacka and Maria Tiszkowska, leaders of the Union of Poles in Belarus, from a Belarusian jail. The awarded diplomat keeps on taking determined actions, in difficult external circumstances, to safeguard the rights and interests of the Polish minority in his consular district, focusing particularly on their right to learn Polish.  

During the ceremony, Minister Zbigniew Rau also thanked the consuls of the Republic of Poland in Ukraine for their commitment, effort and work under the extraordinary conditions of the year 2022.

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The Andrzej Kremer Consul of the Year Award is presented each year by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to a distinguished consular officer.

It was established in 2010 in memory of Andrzej Kremer, an Undersecretary of State at the MFA of special merit for the Polish consular service, who died tragically in the Smolensk plane crash.

The award is presented to consular officers who stand out as having extensive knowledge, special achievements and strong commitment to their consular functions.