In their discussions, the EU member states’ foreign ministers focused on the security situation in Europe, in particular the threat of Russia’s escalated aggression against Ukraine. Joining the meeting via a video call was U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who engaged in the debate on this issue as well. Also, the ministers spoke about the situation in Syria, Libya, countries of the Sahel, and discussed other current affairs.

On Monday, January 24, Deputy Minister Paweł Jabłoński will replace Minister Zbigniew Rau at a meeting of the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Brussels.  

On 20 January 2022, Deputy Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk received Jens Plötner, foreign and security policy adviser to the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. The deputy head of Polish diplomacy expressed his hope that fostering good relations with the Republic of Poland will be the pillar of foreign policy pursued by the German government under the leadership of Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The total amount of grants will stand at PLN 12,687,701. In this year’s edition of the competition, earmarked grants will be allocated to carry out 31 projects on three continents: in Europe (the Czech Republic, France, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Germany, Romania, Ukraine, Great Britain), South America (Argentina, Brazil), and North America (the United States).

As the current Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Minister Zbigniew Rau highlighted the importance Poland will attach to supporting populations that suffer the consequences of crises and armed conflicts on a daily basis.

On behalf of Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, who is the OSCE current Chairperson-in-Office, Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak held a joint phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

Solemn Mass will be celebrated at Warsaw’s Archcathedral of St John the Baptist at 7 p.m. on 20 January 2022 for Francysk Skaryna (1490–1540), outstanding Belarusian humanist, translator, printer, citizen of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, subject of the Jagiellons, and a figure remembered with reverence by the Catholic Church.

“Warsaw has always supported, and will continue to support, a democratic, strong, and sovereign Belarus, as well as all Belarusian circles acting for that benefit,” highlighted Minister Zbigniew Rau during a meeting with Pavel Latushka.

On 18 January, Deputy Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk took part in a presentation of a stamp folder in memory of the Ładoś Group’s activity, issued as a joint endeavour of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Poczta Polska, Poland’s public postal service operator. The event coincided with the closing day of the Pilecki Institute’s exhibition “Passports for Life”. Also present at the ceremony were President Tomasz Zdzikot of Poczta Polska SA, Deputy Director Wojciech Kozłowski of the Pilecki Institute, and Jakub Kumoch, Secretary of State and Head of the International Policy Bureau at the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland.