Strengthening NATO’s eastern flank

Back in 2016, the NATO Warsaw Summit decided to strengthen the eastern flank. NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence (EFP) supports the North Atlantic Alliance’s deterrence and defence capabilities.

“What we want to present to our compatriots today are excellent decisions on the part of the entire NATO command – strengthening the Polish army, strengthening NATO’s eastern flank, strengthening our security and defence potential,” the Prime Minister said.

Poland plays a special role in the EFP initiative. The EFP framework nation in Poland is the United States. Allied troops are stationed in the Orzysz area.

“Thank you very much to all the US military commanders in Poland. I thank the command of the British troops, the command of the Romanian troops and the command of the Croatian troops – for our joint defence of the Suwałki Gap and the joint defence of NATO’s eastern flank,” Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said.

Increase of the rapid-reaction force in Poland from 40,000 to 300,000 troops

At the invitation of the leaders of the Kingdom of Denmark and the Netherlands, the Polish Prime Minister took part in a meeting of EU countries in The Hague in mid-June. These talks were part of the preparations for the North Atlantic Alliance summit in Madrid. War in Ukraine was the main topic of discussion. The meeting participants also discussed the strengthening of the EU and Nato flank.

The most important findings for Poland at the NATO Madrid Summit, attended by President Andrzej Duda and Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Błaszczak, were the agreement to admit Finland and Sweden to the North Atlantic Alliance. In addition, NATO countries adopted a new Strategic Concept in line with our demands and announced the permanent presence of the US Army’s V Corps forward command in Poland.

“Today, we are part of the most powerful military alliance in the world. In Madrid, NATO concluded its summit. These were very groundbreaking deliberations. These decisions will very much serve to build an even greater level of security for Poland and the eastern flank of NATO,” stressed the Polish PM. “Among these decisions, first of all, one should mention the increase in the rapid-reaction force from 40,000 to 300,000,” he added.

Modernisation of the Polish army

Today, the Polish army is increasing its presence on the Suwałki Gap and our entire eastern border. The Polish army will be seen more in these areas. The latest weapons, manufactured in Poland and abroad, will be deployed there.

“We are building this artillery firepower based on our resources and those acquired from our allies. The army cannot be a relic of the past. The army guarantees Poland’s future and Poland’s security,” said PM Mateusz Morawiecki.