‘Poland is the sixth biggest EU member, has a lot to share with Korea’

Minister of Foreign Affairs Witold Waszczykowski of Poland said, “Korea is one of our
threestrategic partners in this part of the world and in this context I am particularly
glad with the signing of a new ‘Action Plan’ for the implementation of the strategic
partnership for the years 2017-2020.”.Speaking at an interview with The Korea Post,
Minister Waszczykowski said that Poland is the sixth biggest EU member state and Poland has a lot to exchange with Korea, be ittightening of our economic relations or on global
and security issues. Excerpts from the interview follow:

1. What is the main purpose of Your Excellency's visit to Korea this time? What are
the specific plans and purposes of Your
Excellency's visit to Seoul this time?
First of all I am delighted to visit Republic
ofKorea as a second country in Asia in my
capacity as the Minister for Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Poland. Republic of Koreais one of our three strategic partners in this part of the world. In this context I am particularly glad with the signing of a new “Action Plan for the implementation of the strategic
partnership for the years 2017-2020”. It gives our MFAs and sectoral ministries clear guidelines on the direction we want our relations to develop and how do we achieve our goals. Poland is the sixth biggest EU member state and we have a lot to exchange with the Republic of Korea, be it tightening of our economic relation or on global and security issues. Referring to the latter it has been an established tradition that visiting the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission is an important element for every high level meeting of Polish officials here. Let me underline that we have been engaged in stabilization process on the Korean Peninsula for over 60 years as the member of NNSC. I came here with a group of parliamentarians, high officials, businessmen and journalists on board of the first direct flight between Warsaw and Seoul. I am sure that this connection will give an additional boost to our relations and I would like to encourage the Korean citizens to use this possibility to visit Poland. Last but not least I’m visiting your country as an envoy of President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Beata Szydło. They have extended their invitations for President Park Geun-hye to pay an official visit to Poland, possibly in spring 2017.

2. Poland is one of the members of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission. On the other hand, Poland appears to be a successful example of becoming a prosperous country in the world after the change of the political system--if not a source of invaluable inspiration. What suggestions, if any, does Poland have for North Korea to give up nuclear weapons development and, instead, favorably respond to South Korea's call for increased economic cooperation between the North and South?
Poland’s presence on the Korean Peninsula through participation in the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission and our efforts to ensure stability in the region are already well established. The experience and knowledge we have gained over the 60 years of our involvement, combined with historical similarities, make Poland especially committed to the process of achieving reconciliation between both Korean states. History teaches us that lack of understanding and cooperation, as well as an unreflective pursuit of national interests cannot bring promising future. As we have seen in the past, it was also the case in Europe. In my view, there is always a need to strike the right balance between individual interests and a desire to achieve peace and stable neighborhood.

3. When it comes to security issue Poland and Korea share a common ally – the USA. Could you describe on Poland’s cooperation with Washington in this field, including NATO?
I highly appreciate a personal involvement of First Vice Foreign Minister Lim in Warsaw NATO summit events, which constitute a tangible evidence of Korean engagement in building global security. Indeed, the Unites States is a common ally of both Poland and the Republic of Korea and, as it is in your case, cooperation with Washington is fundamental for Poland’s security. This cooperation is being developed twofold – in bilateral dimension, as well as within NATO, both aiming at meaningful and visible American military presence in Poland, and more broadly in Central Europe. For example, the Unites States started in May this year building in Poland an American Aegis Ashore base, which is going to be a part of the NATO Balistic Missile Defence system. Leading NATO efforts, the U.S. is going to deploy troops in my country, as a part of an Allied enhanced Forward Presence in Poland and the Baltic states. I would like to stress that in terms of geography Poland and the Republic of Korea may be situated far away from each other, but I believe we have a lot in common in terms of security interests, since we are faced with similar threats. Partnership between our defence industries in artillery systems created a friendly and encouraging environment which hopefully will translate into closer cooperation in other spheres such as land systems, unmanned aerial vehicles or air platforms. SW-4 helicopter, manufactured in Poland by Leonardo and thoroughly tested by the Polish Armed Forces, successfully passed all the tests in the military training helicopter tender for the Korean Land Forces and Navy. As a sign of deepening bilateral ties, we invited Korea as a lead nation to the International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO 2017 in Poland.

4. Another similarity is the deployment of American anti-missile system in Poland. Korean Government has made a decision for installation in Korea THAAD system, could you expand on the purposes, goals of the anti-missile system in Poland and the rationale behind the Polish Government decision in this respect.
There are several important angles to this issue. As you know the security situation in Europe has been deteriorating recently. In 2010 the Lisbon Summit NATO decided that we need to address Ballistic missile threats to NATO in Europe. They are real and constantly growing. Instabilities in the Alliance Southern and Eastern neighborhood further add to this notion. The Warsaw NATO summit confirmed this negative evaluation. That is why NATO embarked on developing the Balistic Missile Defence system. Poland is proud to contribute to this effort by hosting an American Aegis Ashore base. We are also developing a national Air and Defence system, as a part of modernization of Polish Armed Forces. The American Ballistic Missile Defence Base in Redzikowo will expand the persistent US military presence in Poland and strengthen the Polish-American defense cooperation.

5. Due to the slow economy in China, upon which Korea has been somewhat fallen upon quite for some time, we are now seeking outlets for expanded economic cooperation. What are the main areas where Korea and Poland could further explore to expand the range of their cooperation?
The economic cooperation between Poland and Korea is a key part of the bilateral relationship. Currently there are over 150 Korean companies investing in Poland. Many of these investments are of a truly large scale. Very recently the newest one was launched near Wrocław by LG Chem. We are very pleased that big Korean companies choose Poland. This is an appreciation of a big Polish domestic market and its role as a gateway to Europe, but most importantly it is an appreciation of Polish people, our skills and experience. Korean projects in Poland are complex and innovative, take R&D centers as an example. Korean investments significantly contribute to Polish economy, including creation of many new job opportunities and transfer of know-how. On the other hand we should not forget that for Poland, Korea is the second most important economic partner in Asia and for Korea, Poland is the biggest trade partner in Central-Eastern Europe. Polish exports to Korea have been increasing since EU - Korea FTA came into force in 2011. I believe that this trend will continue.

6. What areas specifically does Poland have in mind for Korean companies to increase their investment in Poland and, vice versa, where Poland might want to increase its economic presence in Korea?
Let me start with a personal remark, I have already visited Korea 10 years ago, and, from what I have seen for the last two days, I have to admit how much I am astonished by the pace of the development of your country. Korean economic miracle, the so called “miracle on the Han river”, never ceases to amaze me. Your companies aim high and this ambitious approach is not only worth admiring but also works in practice. In Poland most of your companies are active in electronic and automotive industries but what is more important they are not limiting themselves to production but also are investing in research and development. I can assure you that if you pursue this road you will be offered assistance and help from Polish government. Currently, trade exchange from Polish side involves mainly mechanical and electrical equipment as well as articles of base metal. In addition some Polish retail products are sold on Korean market, like Polish pottery from Bolesławiec, Polish cosmetics, beer or sweets like Toffinki that you can get in almost every coffee shop in Seoul. I am convinced that the future will bring more opportunities for Polish exports, especially luxury cosmetics and pharmaceutical products, as well as premium food.

7. Who, if any, are the exemplary small-and-medium Korean companies in Poland doing good business for their peers in South Korea to follow suit?
Currently, mainly big companies like LG or Samsung dominate the investment landscape. Their activity concentrates mainly in Special Economic Zones, some of them are almost monopolized by Korean companies where they can enjoy access to the single European Union market, comparatively low labour costs, skillful workforce and help from the government. It does not mean that Polish market has in-built barriers for small and medium companies. In fact we have noticed a sharp increase of that kind of entities coming from China. Korean small and medium companies are present in Poland as well and I do believe that first direct connection from Warsaw to Seoul will contribute to further increase in their number.

8. Please provide us with a copy of Your Excellency's resume and any other details related to Polish-Korean relations, which can be interesting for Korean readers but are not covered by our interview questionnaire above.
The official delegation including myself, members of parliament and high officials came to Seoul by direct plane from Warsaw (operated by LOT Polish Airlines). It is a very first, historic direct flight between the two capitals. We hope that a direct flight connection will contribute to even greater dynamics of our political exchanges, also at the highest levels. I am also convinced that now it will be easier to make business together when one can simply get on a plane in Incheon and get off in Warsaw Chopin Airport. I am sure that many music lovers in Korea will use this new opportunity to travel to the country of Frederic Chopin. I am sure that music will be just one of the magnets bringing Korean tourists to Poland. In fact, in the last five years the number of Koreans visiting Poland has almost tripled. I am very happy that Korean tourists are discovering my beautiful country.

Biogoraphical data of Minister Waszczykowski:
Witold Waszczykowski, Minister of Foreign Affairs, was born in Piotrkow Trybunalski on 5 May 1957. A diplomat with a degree in history, he holds a PhD in the humanities.
The chief of Polish diplomacy graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy and History at the University of Lodz (1980), and the Department of International Studies at the University of Oregon (1991) in the United States. In 1992-93, he pursued postgraduate studies in international security and arms control at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy in Switzerland. In 1993, he was awarded a PhD in the humanities (history) for his dissertation The United States and the Strategic Disarmament Negotiations in 1919-36. From 1981 to 1987, he was an assistant lecturer at the Faculty of Philosophy and History of the University of Lodz.
He began his career with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the early 1990s. In 1992, he became a senior expert in the United Nations System Department and the European Institutions Department, and in 1996 he was named deputy director of the European Institutions Department, and then of the Security Policy Department. In 1997, he served as head of Poland’s Liaison Office to NATO in Brussels, and went on to become deputy Permanent Representative of Poland at the newly created diplomatic mission to the North Atlantic Alliance (1997-99). From 1999 to 2002, he was posted as Poland’s Ambassador to Iran. In 2003, he worked at the Department of Foreign Policy Strategy and Planning, and in 2005 became deputy director of the Department of Africa and the Middle East. In 2005-08, he was deputy foreign minister, also serving as the chief negotiator during Poland-US missile shield talks.
In 2008, he was appointed deputy head of the National Security Bureau. From 2011, a Law and Justice deputy to the 7th Sejm. In parliament, he was deputy chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and a delegate to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Re-elected to the Sejm in the October general election, he received close to 33,000 votes, the best result in the Sieradz district.