The Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz has met with the Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte at the Land Forces Field Training Centre (LFFTC) in Bemowo Piskie on 18 December. The visit was also an opportunity to meet the soldiers serving at the LFFTC as part of the NATO Forward Land Forces.

- Today we are visiting soldiers, the NATO Forward Land Forces. After the decision made in 2016 at the NATO Summit in Warsaw, the Alliance has deployed its forward forces in Poland and at the eastern flank. Bemowo Piskie is one of those places where a battlegroup of the forward forces operates. I would like to note that this is where the American, British, Romanian, Croatian and Polish soldiers exercise, train and integrate their capabilities. Five countries, five nations, five different kinds of Armed Forces united within a single alliance, the largest defensive alliance that is the North Atlantic Treaty. Of course, we have been discussing  the support for and situation in Ukraine, peace talks, the development and location of troops, and acquiring capabilities. I have informed the Secretary General of the latest contracts, choosing Swedish submarines for the Polish Navy, increasing our capabilities in fighting drones and in anti-drone systems, and of the new systems which we will be offering to our allies. Infrastructural development is an important topic to us, not only in the military dimension, but in the dual use capacity. Railways, roads, as well as pipelines, which should be expanded into eastern Germany, Poland and the Baltic states as soon as possible
- said the Deputy Prime Minister during the meeting with soldiers.

For a number of years, Poland has been a host of the NATO Forward Land Forces (earlier called the eFP – enhanced Forward Presence). Allied troops are stationed in eastern Poland, near Orzysz. The American contingent is 800 troops strong. They are the core of the forces, aided by soldiers from Great Britain, Romania and Croatia. They cooperate each day with the 15th Giżycko Mechanized Brigade, and their activities are coordinated by the Multinational Corps Northeast in Elbląg. The Corps act to coordinate training and increase the regional situational awareness. NATO Forward Land Forces are an element of the common approach of allied countries to deterrence and defence in eastern Europe, in the context of security for the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Alliance.

- Today we meet as the NATO family, a family of allies, a family of militaries and soldiers, who stand shoulder to shoulder, ready to fulfil our obligations. I confirm once more every obligation of Poland stemming from the North Atlantic Treaty, Poland will fulfil its obligations and expects solidarity as well. Because here the word “solidarity” is an extraordinary, bidirectional one.
- noted the Minister of National Defence during the event. 

- We are here to thank the soldiers that are part of the NATO Land Forces. The soldiers who will spend Christmas away from their families. They stand guard, giving all of us security and strengthening our deterrence and defence posture on the eastern flank of NATO. Foreign Land Forces here in Bemowo Piskie, are just one of the examples of how allies serve together for our shared security. It is also an example of the many ways Poland supports our shared deterrence and defence. On land, on the sea and in the air. Poland’s military strength continues to grow. (…) Poland also sends basic support to Ukraine, which is important not only when we push for peace, but also in the future. Ukraine’s security is our security. (…). To sum up, NATO remains united and ready to deter aggression and defend our freedom and security. Dear Władysław, I heartily thank you for your unwavering support
- said the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in turn

During the visit in Bemowo Piskie, the Deputy Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General have held bilateral talks, joined by the commanders’ briefing, and took part in the Christmas meeting with Polish and allied soldiers – serving in the NATO Forward Land Forces.

>>> GALLERY – The meeting of the Minister of National Defence and NATO Secretary General