Ambassador I. Woicka – Żuławska in Stavanger
18.10.2021
On 7th and 8th October, the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Norway, Iwona Woicka-Żuławska, visited Stavanger.
On 7th October, the Ambassador met the mayor of Stavanger, Kari N. Nordtun. In the meeting participated also Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in Stavanger, Bjørn Bredal, and Consul of the Republic of Poland, Anna Śmiałek-Grzyb.
During the meeting, the possibilities of further strengthening Polish-Norwegian cooperation were discussed, both in the regional dimension, partner cities, business, as well as in the areas of culture and art, science and education. The Ambassador emphasized the importance of the Polish community in the region, pointing to the problems that Poles encounter in everyday life, especially in the context of the pandemic, while pointing to very positive examples showing the activity of Polish communities in Norway, the entrepreneurship of Poles, and commitment to maintaining relationships with the country of origin. Consul of the Republic of Poland, Anna Śmiałek-Grzyb, presented the needs and expectations of the Polish community in Stavanger, with particular emphasis on Polish families, the Polish School in Stavanger and migrant workers. The importance of bilingualism was emphasized, as well as, for example, promoting the culture of the country of origin, which allows to bring the local community closer to the migrant and to understand mutual differences and similarities.
The Ambassador also met with representatives of the Blue Planet (aquaculture) and Roxel (infrastructure) cluster as well as Polish companies operating on the Norwegian Continental Shelf - PGNiG Upstream Norway and Lotos Norway Upstream.
On the second day of the visit, the Ambassador participated in the ceremonial handover of the command of the NATO Joint Warfare Center (JWC) by the Vice-Admiral of the German Navy, Mr. Jan C. Kaack, to the General of the Polish Army, Mr. Piotr Malinowski. The ceremony was an opportunity to emphasize the Polish active presence in JWC Stavanger, as well as to talk about further plans regarding i.a. joint exercises in Norway and Poland.
During these days, there was also a consular duty in Stavanger, during which passport applications for minors were submitted
