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

human rights and solidarity are a reflection of the Poland’s foreign policy, which is meant

to guard the state’s independence and territorial integrity . The main objective is ensuringnational 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 state’s objectives. The basic goals of Polish foreign policies

proceeding from the raison d'état  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 Poland’s 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 objectivesof Polish diplomacy, which were achieved in 1999 and 2004.

 The rudimentary element of Polish concept of raison d'état 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

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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 democratictransformation and solidity of position of Poland among other democratic countries.

NATO is the chief multilateral instrument of Poland’s 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 1st 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 Poland’s 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

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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 inPoland’s 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 EU’s 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 Ukraine’s EU aspirations and deepening

NATO-Ukraine relations. Moreover, one of the priority of Polish foreign policy issupporting Belarusian society in its pursuit of freedom and political pluralism and

opposing all types of repression whose victims is also Polish minority in Belarus.

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 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 Poland’s 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 one’s own deterrence capabilities and maintaining NATO’s reliability as a defence alliance;

developing EU capabilities with respect to resources and security building measures, independent and

complementary to NATO’s; 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.