On Friday 18th October the Minister of National Defence took part in the second meeting day of the NATO’s Allied Defence Ministers held in Brussels.

- During the session, we discussed also the issues concerning the upcoming events, analysing the geopolitical situation. Here we have the full unity of the Alliance. This is my another meeting and I can see that the Alliance integration, as well as willingness to bear higher expenses is more and more common. This ambitious plan is not only limited to 2% but it is the minimum which should serve as a starting point. This ambitious plan, designated by Poland, amounts to 4,7% of GDP, which is the highest number among all the NATO Member States. It wins recognition and respect to such an extent that Poland has been followed by a lot of countries. I do not only mean NATO’s eastern flank states but also Southern Europe, where the strategy changes are visible.

- the Deputy Prime Minister informed.

During the session of the North Atlantic Council regarding the matters of deterrence and security allied Defence Ministers concluded the key issues concerning the development of capacities needed for collective defence in our region, such as: logistics, capabilities development, air and missile defence, increasing the readiness of forces.

- I also spoke to the Ministers of the Baltic States during the bilateral meetings. We discussed the challenges for the new defence commissioner. He comes from our region, from the NATO’s east flank. Thus, we can see an opportunity here to gain a real budget

- Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak-Kamysz noted.

On the second day of the visit in Brussels, Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak-Kamysz held bilateral talks with John Healey, Secretary of State for

Defence of the United Kingdom and Pirro Vengu, Defence Minister of the Republic of Albania.

- I also met the Defence Ministers of Italy, Luxembourg, Albania, I talked to the UK Minister of Defence. We also bade farewell to Secretary Austin, the US Secretary of Defence, as it was the last meeting of President Biden’s administration at that level. I thanked on behalf of our State, on behalf of Poland for the great devotion to the security of the Republic of Poland, for the great commitment

- the Minister of Defence said.

Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak-Kamysz also referred to the letters of intent signed during the first day of the session.

- The agreement of the highest importance regards air defence DIAMOND. The agreement has been set up on the British initiative, but it involves Germany, France and Italy. This is a substantial agreement concerning experience sharing that relates to the air defence. This is a key issue for Europe – air defence is the most important matter. (…) The second agreement concerns the French initiative – gaining and supplementing long-range capabilities. A lot of countries joined this initiative, we talked about that at the Weimar Triangle meeting. We had already concluded and signed that declaration in Washington, now it has been realised with the invitation of the other countries. The third issue concerned cyber security and exchanges of skills within the scope of this matter

- the Minister of Defence stated.

After the Council session, Minister of National Defence informed that Polish general would take the leadership over the Joint Analysis Training and Education Centre NATO – Ukraine (JATEC).

- Another important point concerning the Joint Analysis Training and Education Centre NATO – Ukraine in Bydgoszcz. A very experienced general Ozga, who spent many years here in NATO, will be appointed Chief of the Centre. He will be managing the Joint Analysis Training and Education Centre NATO – Ukraine, which is located in Bydgoszcz in February this year, the declaration of Washington summit approved it. We want to achieve the initial operational capabilities in January 2025, and develop them to the full extent within the next year. I called our allies to assist this project. It is a good thing that Polish general will lead this centre

- the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised.

Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak-Kamysz informed that the Polish Army is receiving the highest level of social trust in the recent history according the Public Opinion Research Centre (CBOS).

- Finally, good news from Poland. The Polish Army has the highest reputation in the recent history. The score of 83% of social trust to the Polish Armed Forces has never been achieved in the history of the public opinion research for specific professional groups. The Army, at the times when I have the honour of being the Minister of National Defence, has achieved the level of the highest historical trust, for which I am sincerely thankful. Thanks to our citizens, our taxpayers we are able to perform a great transformation of the Polish Army. Building its strength and resistance

- the Minister of National Defence informed.