On June the 28-30 in Madrid, Mariusz Błaszczak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, participated in the meeting of NATO Heads of State and Government.

“Today, a very important decision has been made when it comes to the security of Poland, but also for the entire Eastern Flank of NATO, a decision we have been striving for over the years. We have gained a lot for the security of our Homeland” - said Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak. “Before, we had a rotational presence, we came to an enhanced presence during the negotiations, and now we have a permanent presence. We strove for it"- he stressed.

The deputy prime minister recalled that the task of the reactivated HQ for US Army's V Corps is to command the American land forces on the Eastern Flank of NATO. Now these tasks will be fulfilled from Poland.

The NATO summit in Madrid was held at a crucial moment for transatlantic security, during the greatest crisis since World War II, caused by Russia's unprovoked attack on Ukraine.

The head of the Ministry of National Defence emphasized that the North Atlantic Alliance focuses on high mobility of troops and quick reinforcement in a threatening situation."Poland is ready to accept such allied support thanks to the presence of the HQ for US Army's V Corps and the American equipment being made, which, if necessary, would be used by soldiers transferred to the region. If we add to this the fact of the extension of the Polish armed forces, this is the best recipe for the security of our homeland” - added M. Błaszczak.

US President Joe Biden announced in Madrid that the permanent HQ for US Army's V Corps will be established in Poland. From the autumn of 2020, a Forward Command Post of this compound has been operating in Poznań, which coordinates the activities of the US land forces in Europe. At the beginning of March, in connection with Russia's attack on Ukraine, the Americans announced the transfer of the permanent HQ for US Army's V Corps to Europe and the transfer of more troops from Fort Knox to Germany and Poland.

"We have a historic breakthrough" - this is how Deputy Prime Minister Błaszczak said about the consent to the admission of Finland and Sweden to NATO. He stressed that the accession of these countries to the Alliance meant "new dilemmas for Russia, for the aggressive Russian policy, which is also extremely beneficial from the point of view of our country". The head of the Ministry of National Defence expressed his appreciation for the Finnish system of civic defence and for the advanced technologies of the Swedish arms industry. "Undoubtedly, the presence of Sweden and Finland strengthens the North Atlantic Alliance and strengthens security on NATO's Eastern Flank" -  he said.

Referring to the issue of extension - if necessary - the multinational battalion battlegroups deployed in NATO's Eastern Flank to the brigade level, he emphasized that it would depend on the needs of individual states and the already deployed forces. "A framework has been created that we will fill with content" - he said. The deputy prime minister remarked that "the framework concerns the possibility of increasing the allied commitment".

As a part of the enhanced Forward Presence (eFP), four NATO multinational battalion battlegroups are stationed in Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. On the eve of the summit, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, in addition to expanding the high readiness force with 40,000. up to 300 thousand soldiers announced to increase the potential of the battle groups to the level of brigades.

During the NATO summit in Madrid, Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Błaszczak talked about security in Europe and joint initiatives with L. Austin, US Secretary of Defence, and Ben Wallace, UK Secretary of State for Defence.

During the NATO Summit, three sessions of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) were held. The first, with the participation of the President of Ukraine (VTC), was devoted to the Russian war against Ukraine, its aftermath, and the further support package for Kiev. The Strategic Concept was adopted. The document points to NATO's key goals and tasks in the light of the increasingly dangerous and unpredictable geopolitical situation. The concept outlines a new policy towards Russia, sets out a joint response to the challenge related to China's policy and confirms the determination to defend each ally.

The second session with the closest partners: Australia, Finland, Georgia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Sweden and the EU, focused on global security challenges, especially the growing power of China and the implications for the interests and security of the Alliance.

On Thursday (June 29), the last session of the North Atlantic Council, in a group of 30 allies, was devoted to threats and challenges in the southern strategic direction. Its purpose was to summarize actions to counter terrorism, discuss the possibilities of counteracting the food crisis and counteracting interference by third countries in the internal processes of NATO partner countries, as well as supporting partners in building their defence capabilities.

The talks of NATO leaders also concerned defence spending and the fulfillment of the Wales summit's commitment to achieve a level of 2% of GDP on defence by 2024. In Poland, according to the semi-annual assessment of defence spending, their share in GDP at the end of this year will reach approximately 2.4% .

During the NATO summit, work on the creation of the NATO Innovation Fund was officially inaugurated. The President of the Republic of Poland, along with other allied countries are interested in participating in the Fund, signed the Letter of Commitment with the planned readiness to carry out the first investments in the second quarter of 2023.

The topics of the summit's agenda include agreement on actions related to the membership of Sweden and Finland in NATO in a manner that guarantees the interests of all allies.

The permanent HQ for US Army's V Corps will be established in Poland