The first day of the virtual Ministerial to Advance Freedom of Religion or Belief is over. The event was attended by representatives of almost 60 states and international organisations, including ministers of foreign affairs, deputy foreign ministers, and special envoys for freedom of religion.

On 16-17 November 2020, a ministerial videoconference on advancing freedom of religion or belief will be held.

Today, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Marcin Przydacz held a round of consultations focusing on Eastern policy and transatlantic relations with Secretary General of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic François Delattre. The talks also covered current issues related to Belarus, the South Caucasus and Russia. The officials paid particular attention to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the context of a ceasefire declared last night between the Azerbaijani and Armenian forces. The interlocutors also discussed transatlantic relations in the context of the recent election in the US.

On 11 November 1918, 102 years ago, Poland regained its independence. On this day, after his release from the Magdeburg Fortress, Józef Piłsudski took over military command from the Regency Council and, three days later, assumed supreme authority over civilian matters, to finally “as Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Army [...] notify belligerent and neutral governments and nations” of the reappearance of “the reborn and independent Republic of Poland” on the map. After 123 years of captivity, Poland became a sovereign and internationally recognised state.

On 9-10 November, the OECD Development Assistance Committee met to discuss the challenges linked to funding development, providing development assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as actions to ensure durable and climate neutral recovery in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Poland was represented by Deputy Minister Paweł Jabłoński.

On 9 November 2020, a conference was held of the ministers of foreign affairs of the Berlin Process states. “In our efforts to ensure the European future of the Western Balkans we need synergy of actions, an example of which is the Berlin Process itself,” said minister Zbigniew Rau and added that Poland, currently presiding over the V4, puts the support of the Western Balkans high on its agenda.

- Unfortunately, we could not meet in person in Rome due to the pandemic. Nevertheless, I do hope I will be able to visit Italy soon - said Minister Zbigniew Rau during a phone conversation with Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio.

During the plenary session, Minister Zbigniew Rau underlined that the challenge of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be a pretext for permanent restrictions on human rights, the principles of democracy, and the rule of law.

“We need a constant, honest and open dialogue to effectively respond to challenges in the Mediterranean region, such as armed conflicts, terrorism and extremism - which have in recent days affected also other European countries - illegal migration, human rights violations and environmental degradation. The OSCE Mediterranean Partnership for Cooperation can be a platform for such dialogue,” Deputy Minister Paweł Jabłoński said during today’s ministerial video conference on promoting security in the OSCE Mediterranean region.

Polish MFA appreciates the efforts of the Georgia’s authorities to organise the parliamentary elections on October 31st in a swift and efficient manner, based on a revised electoral system. The turnout achieved, especially within a framework of difficulties posed by the pandemic situation, is a success of the Georgian civil society.