This year, for the first time, the Forum was jointly organised by two world-renowned think tanks: the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) and the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House). The opening ceremony brought together close to 300 guests and was attended by the Co-Chairs of the Forum’s Steering Committee prof. Zdzisław Krasnodębski and Sir Malcolm Rifkind.

While launching the discussions, the deputy head of the Polish diplomacy stated that both countries, regardless of the shape of UK’s future relations with the EU, will continue to cooperate in many areas on the political and economic agenda.  - We welcome Poland’s and the United Kingdom’s close cooperation on security, broadly defined eastern policy, NATO and transatlantic relations -  highlighted Deputy Foreign Minister Paweł Jabłoński. He added that this week’s negotiations will probably be one of the most difficult the EU and the UK have ever been engaged in. The minister expressed his belief that they will result in a comprehensive trade deal. He further recalled that the negotiations are about something more that politics and trade.  - Right now it is people that should remain at the heart of our relations - stressed Deputy Foreign Minister Jabłoński.

The 4th Belvedere Forum discussions focused on social, economic and political affairs, including the impact of Brexit and the changes in the EU on the Polish-British partnership, doing business in Poland and in the UK and the challenges related to the climate change. For the first time, the participants debated on geographic differences, particularly between urban and rural areas, and how they affect politics and economics in Poland and the UK. The discussions also concerned European security. The participants were debating whether the EU and NATO have the right approach to contemporary security challenges.

The initiative to organize annual Forums was launched by Polish and British governments during the first ever Polish-British intergovernmental consultations in London in November 2016. The first Forum took place on 8-9 March 2017 at the Belvedere Palace in Warsaw, and the second meeting was held in London in February 2018. Last year, the Warsaw Royal Castle hosted the Forum. The Steering Committee, which includes Polish and British members of different walks of social life involved in bilateral cooperation, is tasked with programme and substantive matters. The Forum’s goal is to give a new impetus to cooperation between non-governmental, expert and Polish community activists with a view to strengthening relations between societies in Poland and the UK.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs 

Press Office

Photo: MFA