Poland in Australia

On 30 June, Poland concluded its six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union. It was a period of intensive work, meetings, conferences, and negotiations.
This work, however, was not limited to Brussels or Warsaw. Polish diplomatic missions around the world-including embassies, permanent representations, consulates general, and Polish Institutes-were also actively involved.
The Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Sydney implemented a range of initiatives and projects aimed at promoting the priorities of the Polish Presidency and supporting its objectives. Among the most significant and demanding activities carried out by the Consulate team were the organisation of Europe Day at the Parliament of New South Wales featuring a lecture by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, participation in Europe Day celebrations in Brisbane, and the initiation of meetings between consuls of EU Member States as well as the United States, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland on so-called consular crisis management. The Consulate also strengthened cooperation on visa-related matters.
A symbolic conclusion to Poland’s second EU Council Presidency was marked by a gala jazz and soul concert performed by Marta Nowicka and Bradley Gilchrist, as well as the opening of a retrospective exhibition of works by Polish-born painter Ralph Podolski.
The event was attended and supported by members of the Consulate team, including the Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Sydney, Piotr Rakowski.
The Presidency period was thus summarised through a combination of cultural diplomacy, artistic events, and strengthened international cooperation.