Hosted by Professor Monika Sus of the Institute of Political Studies at the Polish Academy of Sciences, a fireside chat around the theme of “Poland in a Changing World Order. Radosław Sikorski on Challenges and Opportunities” offered room for discussion on the future of Ukraine, the prospects for Polish business, and Poland’s role in the European Union.

Ukraine’s stakes in the ongoing war

During the debate, Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski said that Russia’s war against Ukraine is more than a mere territorial conflict. The Ukrainian people are fighting for the right to self-determination and accession to the European Union. He referred to the origins of the Maidan demonstrations, inspired by Ukraine’s European aspirations. 

Ukraine exemplifies how important it is for people from outside Europe to become part of it. Ukrainians are fighting and dying for the right to accede to the European Union

Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski said.

An opportunity for Polish businesses

Poland’s top diplomat noted that the Polish business community is already present in Ukraine, represented by nearly three thousand Polish companies. He also said that Poland has inherent advantages to use as leverage in rebuilding Ukraine, namely cultural, linguistic, and logistical proximity. What is more, the strength of the Polish business community lies in Poles’ skill at competing on the European market.

Poland in the European Union and the EU’s future

Foreign Minister Sikorski also spoke about the immense economic benefits of Poland’s membership of the EU:

• the region’s highest GDP growth rate,
• increasing salaries set to align them with the European average,
• a historic level of prosperity.

Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski also emphasised the need to strengthen the EU in the face of new threats, including war, both conventional and hybrid, security, and migration.

Personally, I am an enthusiast of Tony Blair’s beautiful thought that the EU must be a superpower, not a superstate. If we want the EU to fulfil more tasks, we have to give it more instruments

said Poland’s top diplomat.

Minister Sikorski quoted the example of what had happened in the immediate aftermath of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Most Europeans wanted the EU to take care of our defence, and it did. We have launched a peace budget (the European Peace Facility) to financially support Ukraine’s efforts

added Minister Sikorski.

MFA’s stand

During the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski visited the MFA’s exhibition stand mapping the network of Polish Institutes around the globe. So did the MFA’s Secretary of State Marcin Bosacki and Secretary of State for European Affairs Ignacy Niemczycki.

The top diplomat stressed the importance of cultural diplomacy in pursuing foreign policy. This includes promoting the Polish culture abroad and building Poland’s soft power. He also announced that two new institutes will be opened in Seoul and Istanbul.

At this point, the network of Polish Institutes is composed of 25 entities that build partnerships with cultural institutions and shape Poland’s image among foreigners. This is also exemplified by cooperation with the gaming sector, and with literary translators and publishers.

All visitors of the MFA’s stand could become familiar with Polish literature translated into more than ten languages and watch the film “Digital Dreamers” promoting the history of gamedev in Poland.

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