Poland in Saudi Arabia

 

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EMBASSY

OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND IN RIYADH

 

Preparatory work related to the establishment of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Saudi Arabia began in the mid-1990s and lasted several years, until June 17^th 1998, when it was officially opened. The event that played a decisive role in both - the establishment of the Polish mission in Riyadh and – in bilateral diplomatic relations was the Protocol on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Poland and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This document was prepared in Polish, English and Arabic. It took place in New York on May 3^rd 1995.

 

Fragments of the protocol: "The Republic of Poland and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, wishing to develop relations between the two countries, expanding the scope of cooperation and supporting international peace and security, decided to establish diplomatic relations and exchange diplomatic missions at Embassy level in accordance with the provisions of the relevant Vienna Convention. Through this step, they expressed the desire to strengthen fruitful cooperation in political, economic and commercial, technical and cultural fields, as well as in other areas of mutual interest, thus meeting the aspirations of both countries to maintain friendly relations and contacts."

 

Before the Embassy of Poland in Saudi Arabia was formally established, Polish affairs in the Kingdom were conducted by the Polish Embassy in Kuwait. The significant commitment and effort of those working at the Embassy of Poland in Kuwait, contributed to the subsequent establishment of the Polish diplomatic mission in Riyadh. In preparation for the opening of a new Polish Diplomatic mission, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Kuwait and the Office of Commercial Counselor in Kuwait prepared sets of necessary essential, logistic and financial documentation.

 

At the end of March 1997, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Kuwait, received information about the establishment of an inter-ministerial team for Saudi Arabia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The goal of the team was to be to effectively coordinate cooperation and the flow of information on Saudi Arabia until the launch of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Riyadh. A team similar to Polish one was set up by the Saudi side as well. In February 1998, B. Geremek accepted the request to delegate an MFA employee to Riyadh in order to start preparations for the opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland. The planned departure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ employee as Head of Mission and organizer of preparations in Saudi Arabia, in the rank of Chargé d’Affaires a.i., was initially scheduled for the end of March 1998.

 

On June 6^th 1998, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Kuwait sent a note to the Polish mission in Kuwait in relation to the previously received note about the appointment of Dr. Stanisław Smoleń as Chargé d’Affaires a.i. at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Saudi Arabia, along with his expected arrival in the country in mid-June. In connection with the planned arrival of Dr. S. Smoleń to the Kingdom, further actions were taken to open the Embassy and manage its consecutive activities. At the request of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Representation of Saudi Arabia in Vienna issued entry visas for Dr. S. Smoleń and his family. The Saudi authorities have assured the Republic of Poland that they will provide the necessary facilities for Dr. Smoleni and his family, and are awaiting further information regarding the date of arrival. Three days later, on June 9^th 1998, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent a reply. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland informed about the detailed date of arrival of Dr. Smoleń to Riyadh, i.e. on June 17^th 1998.

 

On June 17^th 1998 the official opening of the Polish Embassy in Riyadh took place, chaired by Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Stanisław Smoleń. During the event, bilateral affairs were handed over by the Polish Ambassador to Kuwait Jan Natański to the new CDA in Riyadh.

 

The submission of credentials by the first Polish Ambassador in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Krzysztof Płomiński, took place in October 1999. He was the Head of Mission until 2004. The next Ambassadors were: Adam Kułach and Witold Śmidowski. The current Head of Mission since 2018 is Ambassador Jan Stanisław Bury. The Polish diplomatic mission in Riyadh is located in the center of the capital, in Al-Wurud district.

 

 

The text was based on archival materials of the Embassy of the republic of Poland in Riyadh