The year 2021 marks the beginning of celebrations concerning the 50th anniversary of rebuilding the Royal Castle in Warsaw. The celebrations will end in 2024. During the anniversary ceremony held last Thursday, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki stressed the symbolism of the Royal Castle in the history of Poland. The seat of the kings was the place where the first European constitution was adopted. It is also where representatives of the Polish authorities resided until the outbreak of World War II.

Economic relations, international security and cooperation within the European Union – these were the main topics discussed by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel. Thanking the Head of the German Government for years of cooperation, the Prime Minister stressed that while difficult topics were frequently discussed, the solid policy on the part of both our countries led to very good economic relations between them. Poland is one of Germany’s key partners. The Chancellor’s visit in Warsaw is one in a series of farewell trips to capital cities that are key for Berlin.

Realization of the Polish Order is becoming reality! Over the last 100 days, the Government has approved 10 important projects whose implementation was promised by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. A historic tax decrease, rebuilding of healthcare, support for families and senior citizens and assistance for Poles in realising their dreams of their own house or apartment – these are only some of the solutions we have prepared over the last few months. Now the time has come for the approved changes to come into force. This is not the end, however, as more projects under the Polish Order await ahead. All to enable Poland to not only recover from the COVID-19 crisis, but also take an epoch-making civilizational leap.

Security, perspectives for economic growth, contemporary challenges and overcoming crises – these were the main topics of this year’s Economic Forum in Karpacz, where Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki was also present. The Head of the Polish Government participated in the discussion titled “Europe: Direction Recovery”. The debaters talked about the future of our region and the challenges it will face during recovery from the crisis caused by the pandemic. The Prime Minister also met with Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and with Prime Minister of Slovenia Janez Janša. The leaders talked about the most important issues on the bilateral and international agenda. On that same day, they also participated in the Man of the Year 2020 award presentation ceremony.

”Hydrogen is the energy carrier of the future,” said Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who participated in an official ceremony of signing the letter of intent on the creation of Lower Silesian Hydrogen Valley. The creation of the first valley of this type – Podkarpackie Hydrogen Valley – was initiated on 18 May 2021 in Jasionka. Ultimately, five hydrogen valleys are to be created in Poland. With them and as time goes by, Poland may achieve climate neutrality and maintain the competitiveness of the Polish economy.

The Government will introduce a historic tax decrease, which will benefit almost 18 million people through a higher tax-exempt amount. From 2022, almost 9 million citizens will stop paying personal income tax altogether. No tax will be paid by those who earn minimum wage as well as nearly 70% of pensioners. We also want to enable Poles to realise their dreams of their own house or apartment through a state-guaranteed loan and significant simplifications in the procedure required to build a house with a footprint area of up to 70 m2. We will also help finance investment projects carried out by local governments, providing them with PLN 8 billion in support by the end of 2021.

Trusted Connectivity, the Three Seas Initiative, public digital infrastructure – these were the main topics of this year’s Digital Summit in Tallinn, where Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki was also present. The Head of the Polish Government participated in the panel of leaders titled “Rallying the World’s Democracies with Trusted Connectivity”, together with Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas. The debaters talked about acceleration of the digital transformation of government services and about using digitalisation to improve the quality of life of citizens. Prime Minister Morawiecki emphasised that Poland supports all kinds of initiatives aimed at creating regulations between liked-minded countries in the scope of data sharing.

The Polish Government is responsible for the safety of our citizens and for the tightness of the eastern border of the European Union. At the request of the Council of Ministers, President Andrzej Duda has issued a regulation on declaration of a state of emergency in certain towns and villages located within an approx. 3-km-long strip along the border with Belarus. The Head of the Government has also called the Belarusian authorities to stop their actions and to accept Polish humanitarian aid.

No-one should be able to illegally cross the Polish border. This is a fundamental duty of the state, which we intend to fulfil. The actions of Alexander Lukashenko’s regime at the border with Poland are an attempt to destabilise the situation in our country as well as an instrumental abuse of the immigrants. The Government is responsible for the safety of Poles. For this reason, at the request of the Council of Ministers, President Andrzej Duda has issued a regulation declaring a state of emergency in certain towns and villages in the Podlaskie and Lubelskie Voivodeships. Today, the Sejm has rejected the motion to repeal this regulation.

On 4 September, the Head of the Polish Government has once again talked over the phone with Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison. The main topic of conversation was cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus epidemic. In August, Poland provided Australia with 1 million vaccines, which were given, among others, to residents of Sydney. The call was also an opportunity to discuss the current international situation. Next year, our countries will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations.