- Poland and the Kingdom of the Netherlands are tried allies. We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, an agreement bringing our countries closer in the area of security and defence. What does it mean? Shared excercises, raising capabilities, exchanging experiences, especially in using the most advanced equipment.

- said the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz after signing the agreement.

The contents of the memorandum are in line with the current needs of security and the scale of ongoing cooperation. Acknowledging the leading role of NATO in ensuring international peace and security, the document outlines areas of cooperation such as: defence planning and policy, shared military operations, armament policy, logistical support for the military, research, development and production of military equipment, cooperation of defence industries, cyberdefence, defending critical infrastructure or using military communications and digital systems. The document is a ministerial-level agreement. This defence cooperation will be based on appropriate national regulations and respect international law and international obligations of both parties. The Memorandum of Understanding will enable further enhancement of political-military connections, both at the highest ministerial level and at the level of military units. This Memorandum replaces the previous Memorandum of Understanding  between the Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Poland and the Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on Developing Defence Relations, signed in the Hague on 1 March 1993.

- I would like to sincerely thank the minister and the people of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for devoting, from 1 September to 1 December, their F-35 planes and their crews to patrol Polish airspace, the skies over the Baltic, and supporting the defence of NATO eastern flank. This is an expression of solidarity and responsibility for the whole of NATO.

- the Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz noted.

- Thanks to Polish leadership, the entire NATO can see that spending 5% of GDP on defence is possible. Without this leadership, it would be harder for NATO member states to understand that this level of spending is achievable. I would like to kindly thank you for this, Władysław. I am very pleased that we were able to sign this Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the area of defence in Poland today. This means that our cooperation can be even broader and deeper. We are already working together, but now we will develop that even further. I see an enormous potential for cooperation, including when it comes to the defence industry.

- said the Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Ruben Brekelmans during the press conference.

>>> GALLERY – „Memorandum of Understanding between the ministries of national defence of Poland and the Kingdom of the Netherlands