The head of Polish diplomacy informed the Dutch foreign minister of Poland’s readiness to cooperate with the Netherlands in the run-up to next year’s NATO summit in The Hague and outlined the priorities of the upcoming Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union. The ministers agreed that it is necessary to continue to support Ukraine and stressed the importance of transatlantic ties for Europe’s security.

- When it comes to the security of Europe, we have to realistically choose the solutions we use in response to challenges faced by our countries - said Poland’s chief diplomat.

Ministers Sikorski and Veldkamp also inaugurated together the 33rd edition of the Utrecht Conference, a platform for government experts from both states to exchange views on the EU’s external and enlargement policies, security, the judiciary, and the single market.

During his visit to the Netherlands, Poland’s foreign minister also took part in celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Breda by the 1st Armoured Division commanded by General Stanisław Maczek. The ceremony at the Breda cemetery—where General Maczek and Polish soldiers fallen during the liberation of the Netherlands were laid to rest—offered an opportunity for Minister Sikorski to express gratitude to the government of the Netherlands, Dutch non-governmental organisations, and the local Polish community for upholding the memory of the 1st Armoured Division, which liberated Breda and other places in 1944.

 

Photo: Sebastian Indra/MFA