Poland reopens diplomatic post in PHL

MANILA—In his major foreign policy address on Poland’s foreign policy thrusts and priorities in 2016, which he delivered at the Sejm (Parliament) Tuesday, Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski declared the reopening of his country’s diplomatic post in the Philippines.

“We want to expand our economic cooperation with Asia by re-creating diplomatic posts in such countries as Mongolia and the Philippines,” Foreign Minister Waszczykowski said in his speech.

Philippine ambassador to Poland Patricia Ann V. Paez, who was present at the Sejm during the foreign minister’s address, remarked, “This move will accelerate the deepening of our country’s relations with Poland at all levels and in all their dimensions. It will also spur the full realization of their potentials. Both countries share the same values of democracy and freedom as well as adherence to the rule of law; have parallel experiences in national transformation; and share the same faith as Catholic nations. Poland created a niche for itself through its Solidarity (Solidarnosc) Movement while the Philippines also did the same through its peaceful People Power Revolution. Both countries’ economies are the fastest growing in their respective regions.

Foreign Minister Waszczykowski’s declaration about the reopening of Poland’s diplomatic representation in Manila indicates that it has fully taken into account the Philippines’ economic dynamism and political vibrancy. The official visit of Foreign Secretary Albert F. del Rosario to Warsaw for the first-ever ministerial level meeting between our countries in 2014 reinforced our diplomatic ties that has eventually led to Poland’s decision to shift our relations to its highest gear.”

Poland has been consistently posting positive growth rates for at least two decades. Its GDP grew by 3.6% and was the only country in the European Union (EU) that did not fall into recession or experienced an economic slump during the global financial crisis. Today, it is the No. 1 destination of foreign direct investments in central and eastern Europe. Poland’s former Prime Minister Donald Tusk has been President of the European Council since 2015.This year, the capital City of Warsaw will host the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Summit and the City of Krakow will host the World Youth Day.

The Philippine Embassy in Poland was first opened in 1990 but was closed in 1993. It was reopened in 2009 by then Ambassador Alejandro del Rosario. Poland opened its Embassy in Manila in 1993 but closed it in 1994. At present, the Philippines, together with Brunei, are under the jurisdiction of Poland’s Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.