The Ministry of National Defense stressed that the American presence is the fulfillment of the common task of deterring the enemy. The Minister announced that the talks were conducted in a very good atmosphere and the Americans appreciate Polish efforts to co-create security in the region, on missions and activities aimed at modernization of the Armed Forces and increasing financial outlays on defense.

During the meeting, the issue of armaments cooperation was also raised. Secretary Mattis pointed out that the acquisition of the Patriots will adapt the Polish armed forces to the requirements of modern times.

Mariusz Błaszczak informed that the United States Secretary of Defense accepted the invitation to visit Poland.

On Friday, April 27, the Minister of National Defense also met with the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Mac Thornberry.

– We have reasons to be satisfied, because for the United States the presence of American troops in Poland is a serious thing  –  said Mariusz Blaszczak, the minister of national defense, after meeting with John Bolton, the National Security Advisor for the President of the United States, in Washington.

Partnership with the USA

During the conversation, the increase of American troops presence in Poland and the bilateral armament cooperation in the process of modernization of the Polish Armed Forces, in which the United States is an important partner, were raised. Minister Blaszczak mentioned the ongoing negotiations for the second phase of the contract for the missile defense system and the modern command system of the battlefield. The challenges of the Allied command reform and preparations for the forthcoming NATO summit in Brussels were also discussed.  

– I am encouraged by the fact of the decent Polish-American relations, because they are good for Poland - emphasized the head of the Ministry of Defense after the meeting at the White House.

Earlier, the head of the Ministry of Defense talked with the chairman of the Armed Forces Committee of the House of Representatives, as well as with the representatives of the Senate's armed forces commission.

Tomasz Szatkowski, Undersecretary of State in the Defense Ministry and General Jarosław Mika, General Commander of the Armed Forces, also participated in the meetings.

During his stay in Washington, Deputy Minister Tomasz Szatkowski also participated in a session of the American think-tank Atlantic Council. In his speech, he referred to a strong and mature strategic partnership between the USA and Poland. He emphasized the readiness to further develop relations by increasing the presence of the US Armed Forces in Poland to the level of the division, pointing out that it would bring significant benefits to the security of the entire NATO’s Eastern Flank region.

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Poland is at the center of US military activities on the eastern flank of the Alliance. Polish-American cooperation is carried out in the framework of  three key initiatives: the NATO enhanced forward presence, the Atlantic Resolve operation and the allied missile defense system.

The American presence in Poland has a diverse character and has a significant impact on the key position of our country in the regional security system. Battle units, headquarters, logistic support and infrastructure are located in various parts of the country. The groundbreaking decisions taken during the NATO Summit and their rapid implementation have in fact strengthened the potential of defense and deterrence of Poland and the entire Eastern Flank of NATO.