- I am pleased that, like last year, with our meeting we are rounding off another period of dynamic development of relations between Poland and Spain. A few months ago, we held another round of the Polish-Spanish Intergovernmental Consultations, now in their 13th edition, as the most important format for bilateral cooperation, one which brings together government members under the leadership of prime ministers. Back then, members of parliament from both countries met during the regular Parliamentary Forum. Next year’s 30th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation will undoubtedly be an excellent opportunity to enhance the multidimensional cooperation between Poland and Spain - said Deputy Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk.

The interlocutors agreed on the importance of both sides’ active commitment to the obligations taken on by the participants in the Intergovernmental Consultations and agreed that a special session to take stock of the implementation of provisions, attended by the ministries taking part in the consultations, should take place early next year. The deputy ministers also discussed prospects for developing bilateral cooperation, including in the military dimension, and for strengthening the institutional and formal framework of this cooperation. They furthermore spoke about other formats of cooperation in which our countries are involved. Deputy Minister Szynkowski vel Sęk welcomed Spain’s growing interest in strengthening cooperation with the V4. Covering the current EU agenda, the officials put special emphasis on the European Neighbourhood Policy, which is a priority for both countries and which will be one of Spain’s most important areas of activity under its Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2023. They stressed that our interests in this area are complementary and that we should continue to stand together for a strong and appropriately funded neighbourhood policy. Poland and Spain should support each other in addressing the challenges we face from both the East and the South. Deputy Minister González-Barba underlined the importance Spain attaches to the 6th Union for the Mediterranean Regional Forum, scheduled for late November, and expressed his hope that the Polish foreign minister will attend it. The deputy heads of diplomacy exchanged their views on the Conference on the Future of Europe, while Deputy Minister Szynkowski vel Sęk recalled to his Spanish counterpart the arguments against Poland’s alleged violation of the rule of law. The interlocutors also exchanged opinions on the possibilities for providing support to the Western Balkans, reiterating their continued approval of the EU’s enlargement with countries of the region. Deputy Minister Szynkowski vel Sęk briefed his Spanish counterpart about developments at the Polish-Belarusian border, which pose a challenge for the EU as a whole.

Other issues on the EU agenda were raised during a meeting with Aurora Mejía Errasquín, Director of the EU Department of the Spanish Prime Minister’s Office and acting as the Spanish prime minister’s European affairs advisor (sherpa). The officials discussed migration in the context of the work on the Pact on Migration and Asylum, and agreed that the Belarusian regime’s operations at the border with Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia amount to a hybrid attack against the EU as a whole.

The visit’s programme included a meeting with Spain’s Polish community, which took place at the Polish Embassy and provided an opportunity to mark National Independence Day. The deputy minister thanked Poles living in Spain for their commitment to raising awareness of Poland and defending its reputation. He also expressed his gratitude to the headmasters and teachers working at Polish schools across Spain. 

 - I would like to assure you that, in spite of geographical distance, the Polish government remains close to Spain’s Polish community and your affairs - stressed Deputy Minister Szynkowski vel Sęk.

The secretary of state also met Cardinal Carlos Osoro Sierra, Archbishop of Madrid, whom he thanked for the support from the Spanish church to Polish citizens in Spain and for its support to Polish priests exercising their ministry in Madrid parishes. Deputy Minister Szynkowski vel Sęk spoke about the living standards of Polish priests working in Spain in the context of pandemic restrictions. He underlined Poland’s commitment to defending religious freedoms worldwide and recalled that, thanks to Poland’s initiative, the UN General Assembly established the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. After the meeting with the cardinal, Minister Szynkowski vel Sęk laid flowers at a monument to St John Paul II. 

 

MFA Press Office

 

Photo: MFA