The main topic of their conversation was the return of the wreckage of the TU-154M plane, which crashed near Smolensk on 10 April 2010. Minister Czaputowicz stressed that it is the key element of the ongoing investigation in Poland and that the former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev promised to return the Polish property back in December 2010. “There is no logical explanation why the Polish plane’s wreckage, which is such an important symbol in the minds of Poles, continues to be held in Russia. We need to find as soon as possible a formula that would meet Poland’s expectations and fulfill the promises made by the Russian authorities,” said the Polish foreign policy chief.

The ministers agreed that ensuring equal access to the wreckage to both sides will significantly contribute to ending the Polish and Russian investigations. In this context, Minister Lavrov declared readiness to cooperate in the framework of international legal assistance.

The ministers also discussed several aspects of bilateral policy, including history policy, cross-border cooperation, and issues involving diplomatic property. Minister Lavrov raised the subject of memorial sites and monuments to Soviet soldiers who fought in World War II, situated in Polish territory. The Polish foreign minister assured him that Poland respects the Polish-Russian bilateral convention and that it diligently cares for hundreds of burial sites of Soviet soldiers and war victims. 

The ministers also said that returning to a more regular format of meetings and streamlining communication at working levels will help to engage in a more effective dialogue and to solve problems. Political consultations at the level of directors from the two foreign ministries will be held next week, after a two-year break. 

The chiefs of Polish and Russian diplomacy also discussed international policy issues. Minister Czaputowicz stressed the need to fully implement the Minsk Agreements. He underlined the importance of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, which the international community has repeatedly  reiterated. He also renewed the invitation for Russia to take part in the work of the Warsaw Process working groups and presented the programme of the Polish presidency of the UN Security Council in August. The top Russian diplomat showed interest in the commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Convention. He also agreed that there is a need to raise issues relating to the persecution of religious minorities and promotion of freedom of religion in international organizations.

MFA Press Office

 

Photo Sebastian Indra / MFA