Relations with Turkey, the EU’s southern neighbourhood, and a discussion with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights were the major points of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) held in Brussels on Monday. Covering the current agenda, ministers discussed relations with Russia and adopted a round of sanctions under the human rights violations regime, which targets individuals and entities from different countries.

Prospects for enhancing Polish-Japanese economic cooperation were the main topic of today’s Polish-Asia International Zbliżenia 2021 Forum that was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Paweł Jabłoński.

The diplomats discussed the state of bilateral relations, stressing their great potential for further development, particularly in the political and economic dimension. Minister Rau pointed out that Morocco remains one of Poland’s major partners in Africa, as evidenced, among other things, by the constantly growing trade volume, which in 2020 – despite the pandemic – exceeded USD 1 billion for the first time.

“Poland appreciates UN’s actions to fight terrorist threat globally,” said Deputy Minister Marcin Przydacz during a video conference of Polish delegation with the representatives of the Committee on 18 March 2021.

“We need a stable and peaceful Sahel, where citizens can trust the state, human rights are respected and people can see their future bright. It is in our common interest to eradicate the roots of instability – terrorism, trafficking, impunity, lack of basic social services.” – underlined Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zbigniew Rau in his speech delivered during second ministerial meeting of the Coalition for Sahel.

This year’s celebrations of World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) under the motto #Connect focus on the digital inclusion of people with Down syndrome. They take place with a Polish representative in attendance, Ms Natalia Szymańska from the Otwarte Drzwi Association.

The Development Cooperation Policy Council has unanimously adopted the Development Cooperation Plan for 2021. The meeting was chaired by the National Coordinator for Development Cooperation, Deputy Foreign Minister Paweł Jabłoński.

The foreign minister’s meetings with ambassadors of EU member states are customarily held during each six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union by the embassy of a country presiding over the Council. Because of the pandemic, this year’s meeting organised by the ambassador of Portugal was held as a teleconference.

Enhanced cooperation with third countries as a necessary element to increase the effectiveness of the EU migration policy was the focus of today’s discussion of EU foreign and home affairs ministers, which was devoted to migration issues. Poland was represented by Deputy Ministers Paweł Jabłoński (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and Bartosz Grodecki (the Ministry of the Interior and Administration).