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A strong NATO is a guarantee of the security of the free world

15.02.2023

"The Polish approach is steady and coherent. The North Atlantic Alliance should focus on strengthening the armed forces, on building interoperability. In my speech, I stressed that 2% of GDP for defense is the minimum, and the target should be much higher. A great many voices were raised sharing just such a point of view. I consider that we are on the right track to make the North Atlantic Alliance even stronger. This is a guarantee of the security of all NATO countries, but it is also a guarantee for the entire free world." - noted Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense Mariusz Blaszczak after the session of the North Atlantic Council.

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On February 14-15, Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Blaszczak attended a North Atlantic Alliance defense ministers' meeting at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

On the second day of the defense ministers' meetings in Brussels, the head of the Ministry of Defense took part in a session of the North Atlantic Council on deterrence and defense. The ministerial meeting in NATO format created an opportunity to discuss the impact of Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine on the security of the Euro-Atlantic area.

The Ministers have also summarized previous activities to strengthen deterrence and defense on NATO's eastern flank, including raising the readiness of Allied forces. The expansion of defense capabilities and the potential of NATO countries' defense industries were also discussed.

In the session on NATO's missions and operations, with the participation of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security, the issues concerning today's challenges in the international security environment were raised.

While in Brussels, Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Blaszczak signed a letter of intent to strengthen cooperation between NATO countries regarding the Multinational Ammunition Warehousing Initiative (MAWI) and Alliance Persistence Surveillance from Space (APSS) capabilities.

"I participated in the signing of several NATO initiatives. Two initiatives are of particular significance from the Polish perspective. The first is related to the installation of joint armament warehouses. We are keen on building them. We have launched such initiatives before and are now broadening their scope. This includes the United States. We will construct such arms depots in Poland. The second initiative concerns the exchange of information obtained via satellite reconnaissance. This is as important in the situation Europe finds itself in."

- informed the head of the Ministry of Defense.

After the conclusion of the North Atlantic Council meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister attended a multilateral coalition meeting of countries that have, and are interested in donating, Leopard tanks to Ukraine's armed forces.

"A working lunch was held, to which I with my German and Ukrainian colleagues invited the Allies. We discussed the Leopard 2 tank donor coalition, and I would like to tell you that we assembled a battalion of Leopard 2A4 tanks. This was a task I set for myself, and it was successful. The 14 Leopard tanks that Poland will hand over are joined by Norway with 8 tanks, Canada with 4 tanks and Spain with 4 to 8 tanks. Finland will also be involved in the project as support for the armored battalion. Training is currently underway in Poland, with our instructors training Ukrainian crews. Also, Canadian and Norwegian instructors are taking part in this endeavor."

- Deputy Prime Minister noted after a meeting of Leopard tank donors' group.

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Poland remains one of the most active donor countries in providing aid to Ukraine, both in terms of assistance to the population and the supply of military equipment - estimated to be worth more than €2.2 billion - and is also participating in the training of Ukrainian soldiers in Poland.

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