Polish-Romanian relations are deeply rooted in a common history and extend back to the 14th Century. Nowadays it perhaps is not well known that a significant number of Poles, who had emigrated during World War II, crossed Romanian territory, because the two countries had a common border and neighborly relations. It was to Romania that in September 1939 the President and members of Government as well as the Polish Armed Forces Command retreated and stayed for some time. Gold reserves of the Bank of Poland were kept in Romania, while numerous emigrants found refuge from Nazi and Soviet invasion, staying with Romanian families.
Today, when both countries are together in a united Europe, we must enhance our relations to new dimensions. Such is the meaning of strategic partnership.
During his visit in Romania on October 7, 2009 the President of Poland, Mr. Lech Kaczyński and the President of Romania, Mr. Traian Băsescu, signed the Joint Declaration on Polish-Romanian Strategic Partnership. Poland and Romania decided to take this step in the context of bilateral European and Euroatlantic cooperation.
Poland perceives Romania as one of its closest partners. Romania is the largest country in this part of the continent, with significant potential in international politics and in the global security architecture. The two countries have a similar vision regarding many regional and European matters, as well as those of worldwide significance. I am convinced that in the context of future challenges, the Polish-Romania partnership will play a significant role in reinforcing and strengthening the structures of a united Europe. Both countries are convinced of the exceptional weight that their bilateral relations carry for Europe’s development.
Strategic partnership aims at holding a privileged political dialogue on the level of heads of state or government on international and European matters to develop common positions and initiatives. Together we will strive to have an active, strong and internally integrated European Union, which will effectively pursue common interests and aims of member states.
Poland and Romania support European energy and climate change prevention policy. Seen from this perspective, bilateral cooperation between our states is critical, for it will enhance EU energy security by diversifying sources and transport routes of energy resources. The cooperation with Romania is equally vital for development of the European Neighborhood Policy and emphasizing the role of the Eastern Partnership and Black Sea synergy.
Our joint efforts are also focused on supporting the Euroatlantic aspirations of Ukraine, which is key to European security and stability.
Poland and Romania, which form NATO’s and EU’s border with Ukraine, may enhance Ukraine’s aspirations and help to expedite its road to NATO. Kiev needs strong advocates on the Community forum, and our joint support of Ukraine constitutes a follow-up to the efforts of President Kaczyński and President Băsescu since the 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest.
At that time the Presidents of Poland and Romania strongly supported the extension of a NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP) to Ukraine and Georgia, stating in concert that Russia cannot have the right of veto in this matter. Although Tbilisi and Kiev have not yet been invited to MAP, the common efforts of Warsaw and Bucharest have resulted in NATO’s final summit statement mentioning the Allied decision regarding future membership of the two countries.
Poland and Romania may also play an important role uniting the continent to create an open, vibrant and strategically united Europe. We are at a pivotal moment in the history of Europe, and this is not only about adoption of the Lisbon Treaty. This is the time when Poland and Romania can contribute to building a strong and stable Europe.
It must be clearly said that Europe has room both for Ukraine as well as Turkey, which is why we desire to strengthen cooperation along the Kiev-Warsaw-Bucharest as well as Bucharest-Warsaw-Ankara axes. Both Poland and Romania know that the only alternative to avoiding a clash of civilizations is to engage in dialogue and collaboration.
Turkey plays an important geopolitical role due to its privileged geographic location, with control over access to a resource-rich area centered on the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf. The cooperation of Warsaw and Bucharest with Ankara may actually reinforce Western political influence in Central Asia.
Building European security must proceed eastwards, and a comprehensive program of new countries in the European Union must involve not only Turkey and Ukraine but also Balkan countries, the Republic of Moldova, Belarus and the Caucasus. The alliance of Warsaw with Bucharest will send a powerful signal to the EU for continuing the process of enlargement.
The Polish-Romanian dialogue must also engage the United States, for strengthening transatlantic relations is a common priority for Poland and Romania, which share values, goals and interests. Cooperation of Warsaw, Bucharest and Washington is vital to create an area of security, peace and cooperation worldwide.
However the strategic Polish-Romanian partnership rests not only on cooperation in security and defense, energy or neighborhood policy, but is also a concerted effort towards supporting cultural diversity.
The partnership of Warsaw and Bucharest is a sign of the future, signaling cooperation and openness in a united Europe in the coming years.
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