“Rebuilding Trust” is the theme of this year’s edition of the World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Davos, Switzerland, for the 54th time. During the Forum, the debates focused on the security and cooperation in a divided world as well as effective leadership and efficient implementation of new technologies.

The debates attended by Minister Sikorski mainly addressed security policy, ongoing conflicts (Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, the war in the Gaza Strip) and other challenges such as climate change and energy and migration crisis.

During the debates “Stand with Ukraine” and “Russia: What next?” attended by Vice-President for an Economy that works for People Valdis Dombrovskis, Romania’s Foreign Minister Luminița-Teodora Odobescu, and head of Lithuania’s diplomacy Gabrielius Landsbergis, Minister Sikorski underlined that Ukraine’s defeat and Russia’s victory would have global impact. He added that this would result in the complete collapse of the security architecture and the prospects of new military conflicts on a larger scale worldwide, and that their costs will be much higher than today’s expenses to support Ukraine. The head of Polish diplomacy also found that Russia’s aggression is the most serious threat to European and Polish security. “The outcome of this war is crucial for the future of Poland, the European Union, and all countries of the Euro-Atlantic area. We should be prepared to adequately respond to this threat,” said Minister Sikorski.

The head of Polish diplomacy also took part in a discussion on the future of Europe, alongside Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, and International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. Minister Sikorski noted that when we consider “building the Europe of tomorrow” we should maintain the firm support for Ukraine both bilaterally and within NATO, the EU, and other structures. “As the European Union we should show greater efficiency and determination to counteract Russia’s circumvention of economic sanctions and closely cooperate in this regard with our traditional external partners: the United States, Australia, Japan, and South Korea,” underlined the head of Polish diplomacy.

During his visit to Davos, Minister Sikorski also held a series of bilateral meetings. In his talk with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, he discussed the strengthening of the North Atlantic Alliance’s eastern flank in the context of Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine. Other topics, that Minister Sikorski raised with his counterparts from the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavský, and from Sweden, Tobias Billström, included the development of a common stance on the multilayer support for Ukraine as well as sanctions and other measures against Russia. The head of the Polish MFA's participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos was also the opportunity to talk with British Foreign Minister David Cameron.

At his meeting with President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mirjana Spoljaric-Egger, the minister reiterated Poland’s readiness to get involved in the ICRC's work, especially as far as the protection of civilians, humanitarian aid, and promotion of international humanitarian law are concerned. Minister Sikorski noticed that 2023 Polish financial aid for international organisations, provided to Palestine and Gaza, has never been greater. Poland also sent over 6 tons of humanitarian aid to Egypt for Palestinian patients hospitalised in that country. Further humanitarian aid for Ukraine has been planned.

Acknowledging the role that the WEF has played in shaping the global perspective of geopolitical situation for over 50 years, Minister Sikorski thanked Forum's President Børge Brende for the WEF's cooperation with Poland to date.

 

On the sidelines of the Forum, Minister Sikorski also visited Ukraine House where he met with Ukrainian war heroes and saw the exhibition "671 Days Deciding Your Tomorrow".

 

Photo: B. Milkowska / MFA