The cooperation between Poland and France is gaining momentum. That’s good news for Poland, France, and Europe at large,” Radosław Sikorski said after the Paris meeting on 18 May.

During the talks, the two diplomats took stock of the Polish–French Intergovernmental Summit co-chaired by the Polish Prime Minister and the President of France in Gdańsk on 20 April as the first such meeting following the signing of the Treaty of Nancy.

On security and economic cooperation

The foreign ministers of Poland and France spoke about support for Ukraine as it fights the Russian invasion. They stressed Poland’s special role in the actions taken by Europe for the sake of regional security. They also discussed expectations ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara. Economic cooperation was also high on the agenda, encompassing its bilateral dimension as well as Poland’s engagement in G-20 work and France’s preparations for the G-7 summit in Évian-les-Bains on 15–17 June.

Poland’s top diplomat on the stability of the Polish energy sector

During his visit to Paris, Foreign Minister Sikorski met with Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency. The two officials discussed how the situation in the Middle East affects the global energy market, how the IEA could contribute to the resilience and reconstruction of Ukraine’s energy system, and what role the Agency plays in regard to the security of supply of critical raw materials and the promotion of nuclear energy. Minister Sikorski made a point about the stability of the Polish energy sector, obtained through diversification, departure from Russian energy sources, and the safeguarding of reserves. He also welcomed the IEA executive’s criticism of returning to collaboration with Russia on hydrocarbons.

Polish Institute in Paris returns to its historical seat

The top diplomats of Poland and France took part in an official event to mark the opening of a renovated seat of the Polish Institute.

Our presence with Minister Barrot at this event testifies that culture is among the key areas of the strategic partnership between our countries

- Minister Sikorski said.

May the refurbished venue of the Polish Institute in Paris be a place of fruitful cooperation, inspiring projects, and bonds of friendship that endure the test of time as do relations between Poland and France

- added the minister.

During the opening event, Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski said that the Polish Institute’s mission is to build lasting relations between institutions, artists, scientists, and societies of the two countries. The head of Polish diplomacy recalled the history of Polish‑French relations and emphasised that the shared experiences and values are reflected in the Treaty of Nancy, signed on 9 May 2025. The Treaty on Enhanced Cooperation and Friendship concerns not only collaboration in the fields of the defence industry, the economy, agriculture, and science, but also cultural cooperation. Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski also announced one of the most important projects cultural institutions in Poland and France, including the Polish Institute in Paris, are currently working on: the Poland–France Cultural Season 2027.

The programme won’t be short on projects addressing the challenges of our times—including countering disinformation, defending civil liberties, and strengthening social dialogue. It is precisely such initiatives that give the provisions of treaties and declarations a real, human dimension.

- said Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski

Poland’s top diplomat added that the importance of people-to-people relations is also reflected in the Bronisław Geremek Prize, established this year: a distinction granted to those who make a particularly significant contribution to building bridges between Poland and France. The first laureate is the Polish actor and member of the Comédie-Française, Andrzej Seweryn. The artist received the award on 20 April, Polish‑French Friendship Day, which was also celebrated for the first time this year.

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Founded in 1979, the Polish Institute in Paris is located in a building formed from two connected houses at 31 rue Jean Goujon in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. Annually, the Institute carries out around one hundred projects in the fields of film, music, theatre, dance, visual arts, literature, and history. It also cooperates with major French festivals such as the Avignon Festival, the Angoulême International Comics Festival, the Paris Book Fair, and Jazz à Junas. Among other facilities, the renovated building offers a movie theatre for 100 people, a concert hall, and an exhibition space.