Polish Foreign Minister says Middle East stability is key to global security
The Middle East is looming large on Poland’s foreign minister’s agenda at present. Attending a meeting of EU and Arab League foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, in the run-up to an EU-Arab summit scheduled to take place in Egypt on February 24-25, Jacek Czaputowicz was quoted as saying: “Stability in the Middle East is key to global security”.
The meeting itself was centred on cooperation between the EU and the Arab League, and the challenges faced by both groups. According to Poland’s foreign ministry, the meeting focussed on terrorist threats, extremism, humanitarian aid, the protection of civilians and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Czaputowicz said: “We know how many conflicts are raging there,” adding that they “influence the security of the EU”.
The foreign minister told journalists that Poland was involved in efforts to bring stability to countries such as Libya, Syria and Yemen. For Czaputowicz, counter-terrorism and migration are particular areas where the EU sees the potential for greater collaboration with the Arab League. The transformation of the Islamic State into a global organisation was another key threat that needed to be addressed.
And from Brussels it was off to Washington to attend, on Wednesday, a conference of nations fighting the Islamic State militants. The US-led military coalition against Islamic State, formed in 2014, had been “instrumental in defeating” ISIS and in liberating territory once held by the militants in the Middle East, the Polish foreign ministry noted. The meeting was expected to review the achievements to date of the global coalition to defeat Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and to decide on future action. “Poland intends to remain actively involved in the Coalition, both in its military and stabilisation dimensions”, the foreign ministry said.
The visit to Washington, was also expected to give Czaputowicz an opportunity to “emphasise Poland’s broader efforts to stabilise the Middle East,” including its co-hosting with the United States of a ministerial conference in Warsaw on February 13-14, the Polish foreign ministry said on its website.
United States Vice-President Mike Pence will visit Warsaw to give the keynote address at what is known as the Ministerial to Promote a Future of Peace and Security in the Middle East, according to the White House. It said that Pence will also participate in bilateral discussions “on expanding and deepening U.S.-Poland relations, especially in the spheres of military and energy security, as well as expanding our economic and commercial ties.” The Unites States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will join Pence for the conference in Poland.
This conference in Warsaw marks Poland’s increasingly higher profile in foreign affairs, as well as providing an opportunity for Poland to strengthen its close links with the United States. Details of the conference participants and agenda remain unclear, although it appears that the focus has been broadened from its original concentration on the particular threat posed by Iran. The announcement of the conference originally was greeted with particular anger by the Iranian foreign minister, who tweeted at the time: “Polish Govt can’t wash the shame: while Iran saved Poles in WWII, it now hosts desperate anti-Iran circus.” However, for Poland this opportunity to stand side by side with the United States once more and to demonstrate its new confidence on the diplomatic world stage far outweighs any lingering concerns about entering the minefield that is peace in the Middle East.
Misunderstood
“The public think the politicians don’t know or care about their lives; and the politicians feel misunderstood.” The words of Tony Blair, so take them as you will, but perhaps the politicians are understood only too well, and folk have good reason for their view. Be that as it may, the Polish prime minister feels that criticism of his government’s legal reforms is due to their not being understood in western Europe.
Speaking to CNN during the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, Mateusz Morawiecki said: “There is a lack of understanding [of] what is happening in Poland by our western neighbours.” Poland’s fellow EU members in western Europe were “on the right side of the Iron Curtain,” while Poland was on the wrong side and spent decades under communism.
He told CNN’s Richard Quest that the justice system was being changed to make it as efficient as those in western Europe but that the European Union Commission was seeking to “politicise” the continuing dispute with Poland over these changes. “Although Poland changed its provisions regarding [the] judiciary, the European Commission does not recognise it. I feel that some of the European Commissioners want to politicise this dispute”, Morawiecki said.
The prime minister added that although the new procedures for appointing judges is less dependent on the decisions of political bodies than hitherto, the Commission still contends that at the rule of law is under threat in Poland. Indeed, the deputy foreign minister for European affairs last month voiced surprise that notwithstanding Poland’s having complied with an ECJ ruling last year requiring it to reinstate Supreme Court judges who had been forced to retire, the EU had not withdrawn the procedure under article 7 of the Treaty of the European Union.
The Commission had begun the action against Poland in the ECJ because it argued that the changes to the appointment of judges to the Supreme court undermined “the principle of judicial independence, including the irremovability of judges.” Although it complied with the ECJ ruling – evidence, one might think, of the rule of law actually functioning – the Polish government has contended that its changes are needed to reform an inefficient and on occasion corrupt judicial system that has not fully rid itself of the taint of its communist past.
The complaint that Poland is misunderstood by non-Poles is a common one which extends beyond the political sphere. Many countries consider themselves to be exceptions and it is hardly surprising therefore, given its history, that feeling of Polish exceptionalism should be so strong. Of course, that is no excuse for Poland being given an easy ride where the EU has grounds for believing that there is a threat to fundamental EU values. Nevertheless, the de haut en bascommunications to Poland are perhaps not the most effective way of addressing a proud nation.
The Polish prime minister also had something to say about another great exercise in exceptionalism and, perhaps, misunderstanding, Brexit. When asked about the UK’s impending departure from the EU, Morawiecki said that he regretted it. He said that Poland stood united with the other EU member states on the deal the EU had negotiated with the British government. Earlier in the week Morawiecki had told the BBC that he would like to see more Poles return to Poland from the UK as Poland benefitted from strong economic growth and low unemployment. “So I would hope that many, many Poles would come back to Poland. So give us our people back.” Not, it hardly needs adding, that the British government has prevented Poles from coming or going at will, something that is unlikely to change whatever form of Brexit eventually emerges.
And should a no-deal Brexit occur, the Polish economy is ready according to deputy investment and development minister, Jerzy Kwieciński. as reported Poland’s PAP news agency, although he sees such a development as unlikely. He did say, however, that Brexit is one of Europe’s greatest economic and political challenges in 2019.
Every country is defined by its history: Poland by struggle, the United Kingdom by exceptionalism. But what the United Kingdom also had was Machiavellian pragmatism based on a rational analysis of its best interests and this seems curiously absent of late. Modern politicians seem ignorant of history – perhaps that’s why they misunderstand and are misunderstood.
Let's meet in Wrocław
The history of Wrocław goes all the way back to a settlement that developed centuries ago at a crossroads along the Oder River separating Germany and Poland. The city lies at the intersection of several important travel routes running from southern to northern Europe towards the Baltic Sea, and from west to east towards the Black Sea region
The capital of Lower Silesia, and the former capital of the Duchy of Wroclaw, the modern city of Wroclaw has a lot to offer. Placed among the top 100 cities in the world for quality of life according to Mercer, Wroclaw surprises visitors with colorful architecture, world-class art and unforgettable cuisine.
One of the first things worth doing in Wroclaw is going for a walk through the beautiful streets of the Old Town and the area of Ostrów Tumski, the oldest part of the city. Ostrów Tumski features many fascinating buildings, including the kluskowa gate, the Archbishop’s Palace, the 13th-century Collegiate Church of the Holy Cross and the Church of St. Bartholomew (Św. Bartłomiej).
There is also the Archdiocesan Museum, which for more than one hundred years has been collecting sacred art pieces and monuments, long since withdrawn from cult use.
The collection of the National Museum of Wrocław includes paintings as well as sculptures, with particular emphasis on the art of the Silesian part of Poland. Amongst works by international painters from outside of Poland we can see pieces by Marcello Bacciarelli, Wassily Kandinsky, or Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun. There is also a large collection of Polish art in the Wrocław National Museum, among the most famous artists being Stanisław Wyspiański, Aleksander Gierymski or Tadeusz Kantor.
Another idea for spending free time in Wrocław is a walk along the famous Path of the Dwarfs (Krasnale), which leads to the Dwarf Fountain. Each of the dwarfs along the path has its own name. Wierzbnik is sitting in the middle, and Thirsty is taking the flowing water. Not far from these two, Parasolnik shields the frog in the crown, and next to it is the Dwarf Killing the Ships. The fountain also includes a dwarf feeding the pigeons called – the Feeder.
Wrocław is also a city of fine cuisine and memorable cafes. The first one that comes to mind is frequently Cafe Literatka (the literary café), which is located in the heart of the Old Town. The artistic elegance of Literatka draws attention and makes you fall in love with it at first sight.
Another unforgettable experience is visiting the Art Cafe Kalambur. In addition to a wide selection of drinks, you can also have a meal there or just enjoy a cup of coffee. All in an atmosphere of artistic secession.
Located close to the Old Town – Jadka restaurant is one of the best culinary experiences in Wroclaw. Polish wines and a rich variety of delicious dishes! Highly recommended.
If you are spending some time in the beautiful city of Lower Silesia don’t forget to visit Campo Modern Grill – thanks to the outstanding interior – Campo was awarded the most beautiful restaurant in the world.
And… Last but not least, Wroclaw’s Sky Tower is a must. The view will impress you in the night as well as during the daytime.