Fundamental values of Polish statehood such as democracy, the rule of law, respect for

human rights and solidarity are a reflection of the Polands foreign policy, which is meant
to guard the states independence and territorial integrity. The main objective is ensuring
national security (1) in order to preserve heritage, protect its natural environment and to
enhance Polish prosperity and high level of civilizational and economic development (1),
which in recent years has become another main objective of Polish foreign policy.

Polish foreign policies after 1989 can be characterized by the stability of goals and the
consistency in realizing the states objectives. The basic goals of Polish foreign policies
proceeding from the raison d'tat of Republic of Poland which assumes the pursuit of
external security and internal stability of the country, its harmonious economic and social
development, and strengthening the position of Poland in the international arena can be
summarized as follows:
1. The pursuit of integration with Western security and economic cooperation structures
2. Maintenance and cultivation of multilateral and mutual beneficial cooperation with all
neighboring countries
3. Pursuit of strengthening the position of Poland in the region and following active
participation in the existing structures of regional cooperation.

The general objective determining other goals of Polands foreign policies is the creation
of international environment, especially in its vicinity, in order to ensure stable security and
continuous sustainable economic, cultural and social development.

As the Ministry of Foreign Affair Hanna Suchocka said in her expose in 1992 The strategic
objective of Poland in 90s is membership in NATO and WEU as the European pillar of NATO and
important factor in the European system of collective security. After 1989 the foundation of Polish
foreign policies has become the process of binding the country with Western integration
structures. Membership in NATO and European Union (2) were two strategic objectives
of Polish diplomacy, which were achieved in 1999 and 2004.

The rudimentary element of Polish concept of raison d'tat is security assurance. Poland has
tried to assure its security both through cooperation with other countries (especially the
United States which is treated as a primary partner) and by membership in the
international structures such as NATO or WEU. The historical experience had proved
that Polish foreign politics must take into account the geostrategic aspects of
interdependence between Poland and the international environment. Poland should
constantly strive for converting former unilateral relations (dependency) into a multilateral
partnership-based cooperation. Membership in NATO is treated as a main mechanism
guaranteeing the national security and a confirmation of immutability of democratic
transformation and solidity of position of Poland among other democratic countries.
NATO is the chief multilateral instrument of Polands security policy in the political and
military dimension.

Second strategic objective of Polish foreign policies is membership in European Union
and further integration with European countries within EU structures. Access to European
Union in 1
st
May 2004 allowed Poland to get a guarantee for durability of changes initiated
in 1989 and accelerating the economic and social development.

Along with the membership in NATO and EU the priority position has been placed on the
regional politics and relations with the neighboring countries and participation in
multilateral cooperation in the region. One of Polish security pillars is maintenance of
friendly relations with neighboring countries, which has taken place in form of building
bilateral cooperation and strengthening regional structures such as the Visegrad Group, the
Council of the Baltic Sea States or European initiatives such as the Eastern Partnership.

After 1989 a lot of attention has been given to development of bilateral and good
neighborly relations, for which base are bilateral treaties. Besides the close cooperation with
countries from Euro-Atlantic sphere including the main partner of Poland the United
States (3) (in form of antiterrorism coalition), Poland hopes to maintain the current
dynamics of relations with its main European partners Germany, France and the
United Kingdom (3).

Transatlantic relations are the foundation of the Polands security policy and constant US
engagement in European security is regarded as important. From the Polish point of view,
full implementation of the 2008 Polish-US Declaration on Strategic Cooperation in the
security field is of high priority. The aim of this cooperation is to locate Allied defense
infrastructure, particularly its missile defense elements, in the territory of Poland.

The West
Germany and France are regarded as main political and economic partners for Poland in
Europe. Therefore, Poland wishes to maintain previously attained dynamic bilateral
relations with those countries. One of the key objectives for next decade is maintaining a
high level of economic and investment cooperation with Germany and France.
Moreover, the Weimar Triangle intended to add substance to the Common Security and
Defence Policy and to formulate a cohesive EU eastern policy has an important role in
Polands political relations with Germany and France.
Germany is a key actor in the development of economic cooperation, academic, research,
cultural and tourist contacts. Good transborder and regional cooperation with Germany is
seen as a guarantee of good relations and the cornerstone of mutual understanding.
Additionally, the next few years are believed to be a period of enhanced cooperation with
Polish long-time ally and also one of the main foreign investors in Poland and a partner in
many political and economic projects France. Moreover, Great Britain as a country
with which Poland shares similar views on the scope of the single market and is an
important ally in NATO, is regarded as one of the key partner in foreign policies.

The East
As it is widely known Poland is a good example of experiencing not easy systemic
transformation thus, it offers its support to its eastern neighbours which still struggle with
democratization process. Polish government has regarded reform-oriented attempts in
Eastern Europe and in South Caucasus not only as a goal in itself but also as providing
security and implementing Polish and EUs interests through offering stability and the rule
of law across the Eastern border.
Poland is open to an EU dialogue with Russia and intends to support the program of its
modernization (the rule of law, political pluralism, freedom of speech and society treated
subjectively). Poland wishes to maintain good, pragmatic relations with Russia on the basis
of reciprocity. Political dialogue and economic contacts (especially in energy policy) should
be exacerbated thanks to positive dynamics.
The matter of special importance for Poland is the further development of relations with
Ukraine by providing consistent support for Ukraines EU aspirations and deepening
NATO-Ukraine relations. Moreover, one of the priority of Polish foreign policy is
supporting Belarusian society in its pursuit of freedom and political pluralism and
opposing all types of repression whose victims is also Polish minority in Belarus.


According to the Polish Foreign Policy Priorities for 2012-2016 the main focus and
efforts of Polish foreign policies and diplomacy will be placed on:

a) Strong Poland in a strong political union
Building a competitive, open and secure Union of solidarity, bearing joint responsibility for the future of
European integration, while ensuring Polands interests shall be respected by its other members; constructive
participation in the EU decision-making process for the success of both Poland on the European scene, and
the EU on the global scene.
b) Poland as a reliable ally in a stable transatlantic order:
Developing ones own deterrence capabilities and maintaining NATOs reliability as a defence alliance;
developing EU capabilities with respect to resources and security building measures, independent and
complementary to NATOs; participation in mutual confidence building measures between the West and
Russia; close cooperation with Ukraine and other countries in Eastern Europe and South Caucasus;
combating terrorism and counteracting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
c) Poland open to different dimensions of regional cooperation:
Cooperation with the West for the sake of security and a strong economy; openness and solidarity with the
East; reliance on models from the North in the interests of the quality of life of citizens; partnership with
the South in pursuing common objectives of civilization; and enhancement of cooperation among the
Visegrad Group of countries.