Poland in the EU

As part of the discussion on the US plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the head of Polish diplomacy estimated that it could be a factor encouraging both parties to return to negotiations. In the opinion of Minister Czaputowicz, the Warsaw Process, which brings together the United States, EU Member States and other democratic states, can create a favourable environment for the discussion on this subject.

EU foreign ministers also discussed the current political and security situation in Libya and the possibilities for the EU to engage in resolving the crisis, including as part of the EU's mission in the Mediterranean Sea. Minister Czaputowicz noted that Poland supports the Berlin Conference arrangements for resolving the conflict and the efforts of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary Salamé to find a lasting political solution. - In our planning we should include those activities that can be effectively implemented, taking into account the circumstances on the ground, including the difficult security situation and the unpredictability of Libyan participants of the conflict - said the head of Polish diplomacy. Minister Czaputowicz also pointed out that Poland is in favor of transforming the current SOPHIA operation into an operation aimed primarily at ensuring compliance with the arms embargo.

The part of the discussion dedicated to the relations with the African Union was focusing on the ongoing work on the new multi-annual EU strategy for Africa and preparations for the ministerial meeting in May this year as well as to the EU-African Union Summit due in October. According to Minister Czaputowicz, the future strategy should strengthen the position of the European Union as an attractive and credible partner and bring mutual benefits for citizens. - Our common interests include issues of peace and security, as well as issues of climate change, improving business opportunities and economic prospects for generations of young Africans - Minister Czaputowicz emphasized. In the opinion of the head of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union should also actively counteract Russian disinformation aimed at weakening the EU's position in Africa.

In relations to the preparations for the EU-India Summit, EU chiefs of diplomacy also met with India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Ministers assured that India is an important partner with whom the EU shares common values ​​and strategic interests in global security, stability and international order. Minister Czaputowicz, referring to Minister Jaishankar's visit to Warsaw in August last year, stressed that Poland is in favor of developing close political and economic relations between the EU and India based on negotiated trade and investment protection agreements.

Earlier, during a meeting of EU foreign ministers with the Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, the head of Polish diplomacy stressed that Poland strongly supports the European perspective for the Western Balkans and is in favor of starting accession negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia at the European Council in March this year.

In the margins of the FAC meeting, Minister Czaputowicz participated in the donors' conference for Albania, which suffered during an earthquake in November 2019. The minister pledged on behalf of Poland a contribution to the reconstruction of Albania in the amount of 2.7 million EUR.