Top of the agenda was the situation in the EU’s eastern neighbourhood (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus), the consequences of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, security, including NATO’s enlargement to Finland and Sweden, energy security, as well the continued bilateral cooperation.

Deputy Minister Szynkowski vel Sęk underlined the importance of cooperation with Norway, both bilaterally and within regional and international organisations. Commenting on the security environment in the region, he called for solidarity with Ukraine and for providing it with necessary political, military, economic, and humanitarian support.“We cannot allow ‘Ukraine fatigue’ to set in,” he stressed. The secretary of state outlined to the Norwegian side Ukraine’s most pressing military, humanitarian and political needs. At the same time, he recalled that Russia—responsible for provoking the biggest crisis since the Second World War—should be isolated in the international community. “New sanctions are necessary,” he added.

The officials discussed the prospects for another package of sanctions against Russia, including visa limits for Russian citizens, suspending the EU-Russia visa facilitation agreement, and cutting Russia off from Western technologies. In this context, the deputy minister handed to the Norwegian side the Poland-prepared non-paper “Decoupling Russia from European technologies” and called on Norway to support the ideas contained there. The two sides spoke about the possibilities for holding Russia to account for its war crimes. Deputy Minister Szynkowski vel Sęk outlined Poland’s cooperation with the International Criminal Court. Also discussed were the threats from Russian disinformation. 

Both sides emphasised the strategic importance of the Polish-Danish-Norwegian project to build the Baltic Pipe, which as of September will connect Norwegian deposits with Poland’s coast. Ultimately, the gas pipe will transport 10 billion cubic metres of gas, which makes Norway Poland’s strategic energy partner.

During his Oslo visit, Deputy Minister Szynkowski vel Sęk also met with Liliia Honcharevych, PhD, chargé d’affaires of the Ukrainian Embassy in Norway. Furthermore, he laid flowers at the monument to the Polish Airmen and the Silent Unseen at Vestre Gravlund cemetery.

 

Łukasz Jasina

MFA Press Spokesperson