The Polish foreign policy chief emphasized the special role that Polish clergymen, teachers, and scouts play abroad. He also stressed that the Polish government prioritizes the Polish community and Poles abroad. On the initiative of President Andrzej Duda, in December 2016, the Sejm adopted legal amendments which entitle pupils of Polish schools abroad and students learning the Polish language at foreign schools, as well as teachers working at such schools, to receive a special card. The card qualifies them for public transport discounts in Poland and for discounted tickets to Polish museums and national parks, on a par with pupils from Polish schools. 

The minister also highlighted the importance of the consular service. He went on to say: “I would like the consular service to make sure that as many Poles living abroad as possible, also in Canada, can vote in the upcoming parliamentary elections.” 

“Canada is our important partner, our trade grows, we cooperate in NATO, we share a policy towards third states such as Ukraine,” said Minister Czaputowicz.‎

On Monday 1 July, the Polish foreign minister laid a wreath at the Katyn Memorial, at the Smolensk Plaque and at the Siberia Plaque. “This is always an important stop during visits by Polish officials in Toronto,” emphasized Minister Jacek Czaputowicz. “I am happy that the Polish community in Canada remembers about events that are very important for Poles and cares for these symbolic sites that commemorate them.”

The minister laid a wreath at the Polish Military Cemetery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, also called the Haller Army Cemetery, which was established at a time when the city hosted "Camp Kosciuszko," a training center for Polish recruits joining General Haller’s Blue Army. During the ceremony, Minister Czaputowicz met with members of the Canadian Polish Congress – Niagara District who care for the cemetery.

On Monday, Minister Jacek Czaputowicz also visited the Wawel Villa, one of two Polish senior homes  in the Toronto area. The Wawel Villa was home to dozens of Polish veterans. It is still home to some of the last soldiers of the II Polish Corps and the Warsaw Uprising fighters living in Canada. The Polish foreign minister thanked the Wawel Villa’s managers and staff for taking care of the senior residents of Polish origin in the spirit of Polish tradition, in close contact with the Polish language and culture.‎ He thanked the veterans present at the meeting for their sacrifice in the fight for Poland’s freedom. The minister also toured Col. B. Orlinski Memorial and Archives that was opened at the Wawel Villa in 2002. It houses souvenirs and the legacy of “the father of Polish aviation.” The collections include memorabilia of Polish aviation and the Polish Armed Forces in the West. In 2016, “Anders’s Room” was opened to show the activities of Cadet Schools in the Soviet Union and in the Middle East in 1941-1947.   

On Tuesday, Minister Jacek Czaputowicz will take part in a conference dedicated to supporting reforms in Ukraine, organized by Canadian authorities in Toronto, and will hold bilateral talks with Canada’s foreign minister and other officials. He will also meet with the US Special Representative for Ukraine. He will discuss the situation and role of the Polish community with Canadian parliamentarians from the Canada-Poland Friendship Group.

On Monday, the minister will also take part in a ministerial dinner at the invitation of Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, and on Tuesday he will attend a dinner at the invitation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada.

 

MFA Press Office

Fot. Tymon Markowski / MSZ