Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak – Kamysz: There is nothing more important than the security of Poland and of our allies
05.07.2024
We need rapid responses. This is a task that the European Union now takes upon itself to deploy its forces, its troops, wherever they are needed (…). This formed the basis of this community which we have joined 20 years ago. Today Poland takes responsibility for the Battlegroup with its closes allies – Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. I am grateful for this cooperation. This is an expression of responsibility. (…) Poland understands threats to security very well. Poland assumes responsibility, showing that it is one of the leaders of the European Union – deputy prime minister Władysław Kosiniak – Kamysz said during the ceremony of accepting duty of the European Union Battlegroup by the soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces. The ceremony took place on July 5th, 2024, in Cracow.
The decision for Poland to put forward its troops for duty in the Visegrad EU Battlegroup was taken at the beginning of this year. The deputy prime minister, minister of national defence Władysław Kosiniak – Kamysz in response to a request by Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy had declared Polish involvement.
This is an important moment for Europe and an important moment for Poland. Facing the escalating hybrid war, the full-scale Russian aggression on Ukraine, the raids on the Polish border and attempted attacks – which are sadly sometimes successful – on the health and life of our soldiers and officers, facing attacks on the borders of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, facing all that is happening in Europe – acts of sabotage, attacks in cyberspace, in the face of all this the European Union has to be active, and our response has to be forceful. (…). There is nothing more important than the security of Poland and of our allies. This is our greatest challenge and committment. We think the European Union has to be even more involved in matters of security.
- the deputy prime minister said.
Grupa Bojowa Unii Europejskiej to siły wojskowe zdolne do szybkiego reagowania. Stanowią związki taktyczne o wysokim stopniu mobilności - zdolne do przeprowadzenia samodzielnych operacji. Siły te mogą być użyte do: udzielania pomocy humanitarnej, misji ratunkowych, misji stabilizacyjnych, operacji pokojowych oraz działań zarządzania kryzysowego.
The European Union Battlegroup is a unit capable of rapid response. They are highly mobile tactical group – able to conduct independent operations. These forces can be used for distribution of humanitarian aid, rescue missions, stablization missions, peace operations and crisis management response.
The 6th Airborne Brigade forms the core of the group, providing most of its forces and taking command of its preparation. Beyond the Polish Armed Forces, the group also consists of allied troops from Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary. The 6th Airborne Brigade is an elite, airmobile tactical unit with a high degree of development. It can execute its tasks as a parachute landing force or conduct landing – assault operations using helicopters.