Congratulating the winner, Minister Rau emphasised that since the beginning of the ambassador’s posting to Washington he has supported bilateral economic relations with the USA, engaging particularly in actions for Poland’s energy security. He has also actively sought American support for the Three Seas Initiative. Ambassador Wilczek’s term has been marked by dynamic growth in Polish-American trade, with the United States becoming Poland’s even stronger key economic partner outside the European Union.

Ambassador Wilczek supports cooperation in other important areas: biotechnology and medical sciences and in the space industry. This resulted in a number of agreements concluded by the Ministry of Health and the Polish Space Agency with American partners, said Minister Rau. It was, among others, Ambassador Wilczek’s efforts that have led to a regular Polish-American dialogue on cybersecurity and nuclear energy.

Deputy Minister Paweł Jabłoński, in charge of economic diplomacy, outlined the most important projects carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2020.  “The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic heavily affects the current global state of play, and in 2021 it will be a challenge also for Poland’s economic diplomacy,” emphasised the deputy foreign minister. In this context, he mentioned a special section launched on the MFA’s website, Anti-COVID Offer by Polish Business. It allows Polish entrepreneurs and scientists to publish their product and solution offerings which are useful in countering the effects of the pandemic. “The aim of this initiative is to support domestic exports because, paradoxically, the pandemic has also led to the emergence of a unique new market and new export opportunities. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity,” underlined Deputy Minister Jabłoński.

The country’s economic interest is one of the most important pillars of foreign policy. I am pleased that Polish diplomats are increasingly and more effectively engaged in this dimension of activities which serve to develop our country and strengthen Poland’s position worldwide. Events like the finalisation of the Baltic Pipe agreement, the development of the Three Seas Initiative, and opening new markets for Polish food producers couldn’t have been achieved without measurable efforts of Polish diplomacy. The effects of these measures will serve all Polish citizens and entrepreneurs. For these and for many other projects, I thank all Polish diplomats involved - said Deputy Minister Paweł Jabłoński.

- For Polish exporters and investors, we are making efforts for more effective cooperation between entities involved in economic promotion measures - declared the deputy chief of Polish diplomacy. As an example of these activities, he mentioned the establishment, in partnership with the Civil Aviation Authority, of a permanent representative of the Republic of Poland at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Montreal, as well as regulating the rules of cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with its diplomatic missions and the Ministry of Economic Development, Labour and Technology and the Polish Investment and Trade Agency in promoting Polish economy abroad. 

The Amicus Oeconomiae award has been presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2014 for exceptional achievements in supporting and protecting the economic interests of Polish companies in foreign markets.

This year’s ceremony, owing to COVID-19, was held as a video conference. You can watch the event at the link: https://youtu.be/wkpvBqudNh8?t=886

 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Office

Photo: Tymon Markowski / MFA