A Guide to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Foreign AямАairs Republic of Poland

SERVING POLAND BUILDING EUROPE UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD A Guide to the Ministr y of Foreign Affairs

SERVING P OL AND

BUIL DING EUROPE

UNDERSTANDING T HE WORL D

Contents:

06-07

Who are we?

08-09

Our responsibilities – foreign policy and security

10-11

Talking about Poland

12-13

Talking about Poland’s role in the European Union

14-15

Caring for Poland’s economic interests

18-19

Actively involved in development cooperation

20-21

Cooperating with the Polish diaspora

22-23

Supporting Polish nationals abroad

24-25

An efficient and modern approach

26-27

The power of tradition and institutional memory

28-29

Setting the standard in contacts between countries

30

Working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

Ladies and Gentlemen!

It is my great pleasure to present to you a publication depicting the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland. Our Ministry, with a network spanning 162 diplomatic posts in 135 cities around the world and employing over 3,500 employees, works to advance the Republic of Poland’s ever stronger position within the European Union and NATO. After four years as Minister of Foreign Affairs and at the outset of my second term in office, I can proudly state that Polish diplomacy has earned itself a permanent place amongst the leading diplomatic corps in Europe and around the world.

The task of government is to provide security to its citizens and to comprehensively modernize the state. Diplomacy is there to support these goals. We have been successful in convincing other countries to side with our arguments and initiatives. In recent years, we have managed to make real the concept of energy solidarity thanks to actions undertaken within the EU and NATO. We have implemented the Eastern Partnership project – a bridge between the European Union and our eastern neighbours. Using public and cultural diplomacy, we portray Poland as an attractive country whose image reflects Poles’ love of liberty and the great collective oeuvre of our artists. We care about the economic dimension of foreign policy and the worthy representation of our country abroad. We help entrepreneurs and encourage foreign investors to invest their capital in our vibrant and expanding market. Our consular staff looks after Poles travelling around the world, as well as after the Polish diaspora – numbering over twenty million people. Year after year, we are increasing funds devoted to development aid, thus contributing to poverty reduction and the elimination of other conflict-escalating factors.

In the age of globalization, our effectiveness is judged by our ability to obtain and process information and respond rapidly. Our highly qualified staff have been equipped with modern tools enabling them to compete with the best. Our diplomats serve Poland in the farthest reaches of the world and hold positions in the newly created European External Action Service, the so-called European diplomatic corps, thus playing a part in enhancing Europe’s position on the global stage.

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

On 1 July 2011, Poland took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This constituted both a challenge and an enormous opportunity to promote Poland’s standing within the EU and the effectiveness of Polish diplomacy. During this unique time, our foreign service staff demonstrated their professionalism and excellent preparation in performing these tasks. Thanks to this experience, we feel more deeply integrated with the mainstream of events in Europe and around the world.

Minister of Foreign Affairs

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

06

Who are we?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the only government department empowered by the Constitution to conduct and coordinate Polish foreign policy.

We are tasked with carrying out the following priorities: developing relations with other countries and international organizations, including Poland’s membership of the European Union; representing and protecting the interests of the Polish state and coordinating foreign policy; representing and protecting the interests of Polish citizens and legal persons abroad, but also cooperating with Poles residing in foreign countries; promoting Polish cultural and educational institutions; engaging in international cooperation for development and humanitarian aid; shaping Poland’s international image, conducting public and cultural diplomacy, and supporting activities aimed at promoting Poland’s economy, culture, language, tourism, science and technology.

The Polish foreign service is staffed with professionals who demonstrate comprehensive skills, speak foreign languages, are academically trained and have the necessary experience to carry out their tasks in every domain of Polish foreign policy, ranging from political relations (bilateral and multilateral), economic relations and development aid, to cultural diplomacy and consular affairs.

The organizational structure of the Polish MFA comprises its Warsaw headquarters and a network of diplomatic missions performing the tasks of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs abroad. Foreign missions include embassies and permanent representations to international organizations, as well as consular offices – professional and honorary ones.

Polish Institutes, tasked with the dissemination of Polish culture, also come under the Ministry.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Minister sets the tasks for the Ministry; the Secretaries and Under-Secretaries of State and the Director General of Foreign Service assign responsibilities to their respective organizational units; departments and bureaus allocate tasks to their subordinate foreign missions.

An up-to-date MFA organizational chart is available at our website www.mfa.gov.pl.

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

Photo: Bartłomiej Kozłowski

Headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, located at 23 al. J. Ch. Szucha in Warsaw

Photo: Mariusz Kosiński

MFA Operations Center

Photo: Mariusz Kosiński

Foreign Ministers’ debate hosted by Warsaw University on Foreign Service Day, November 2009

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

08

Our responsibilities – foreign policy and security Every Polish citizen wants to live in a secure country which fosters friendly relations with its neighbours and creates conditions which encourage development and prosperity.

Polish history shows us that nothing destroys the achievements of generations past like war or lack of sovereignty. Poles know best that peace is not given once and for all, and that it is never got for free. It requires constant nurture, vigilance and work. Therefore, the main objective of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to undertake actions which shape the international environment in a way which guarantees peace and security.

Today, security is defined more broadly than in the 20th century. It is no longer only about being prepared in the event of armed aggression. Current threats include acts of terrorism perpetrated by groups which do not identify with any given state, cyberattacks and the cutting off of natural resources, especially energy supplies – which could undermine a country’s economic functioning. To tackle these challenges, the Ministry develops a foreign policy strategy, outlines courses of action – analyzing all possible developments on the international stage – and prepares contingency plans. We also coordinate the efforts of other ministries in the field of foreign relations on the basis of new instruments which help to streamline Polish government measures in the area of foreign affairs.

Poland’s security is guaranteed by our defensive efforts and our active participation in NATO and EU structures. A strong, united Europe holds key significance for Polish interests. In 2011, during the Polish Presidency, we had the opportunity to show that our country is a powerful pillar of the EU and a strong link in the NATO alliance.

This also served as an opportunity to garner support for our Eastern Partnership initiative, aimed at developing an enabling international environment through solidarity with peoples aspiring to democracy.

We managed to portray Poland as a dynamic country experiencing growth and boasting a modern economy. The Polish Presidency made every effort to combat the eurozone crisis and get the EU back on the path of rapid growth. Poland presented itself as a country that cares about EU unity.

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

Photo: Mariusz Kosiński

High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton in Warsaw, 2010

Photo: Leszek Szymański (PAP)

Talks between Minister Radosław Sikorski and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a working visit to Moscow, December 2011

Photo: Mariusz Kosiński

Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Anders Fogh Rasmussen in Warsaw, 2011

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

10

Talking about Poland Modern diplomacy spans far beyond the rigid framework of intergovernmental relations.

Every country, including Poland, finds it especially important to create an atmosphere of mutual understanding between societies, thus making possible agreements on political and economic matters. To achieve this goal, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is conducting a range of activities enabling foreigners to discover and understand contemporary Poland – our economic and scientific achievements, our perspective on global processes, our international activity, as well as our diverse cultural and historical heritage. Aware of the fact that a country’s reputation and image greatly influences its credibility, we make use of public diplomacy to make sure Poland and its citizens are justly perceived around the world.

We try to achieve our goals by developing constant dialogue with other societies, including with foreign opinion makers, NGOs and media outlets. This dialogue centres on Polish international initiatives, ideas, culture and other values of importance for us and our partners.

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

Photo: WWA Architects

Polish pavilion at EXPO 2010, Shanghai

Exhibition entitled “Young Creative Poland: in Production” co-organized by the MFA at the Salone del Mobile, Milan, 2011

Courtesy of Creative Project Foundation, photo: Jan Lutyk

Photo: Mariusz Kosiński

American journalist Allen Paul (centre), author of publications devoted to the Katyń Crime, a laureate of the 2010 Diploma of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for outstanding services in the promotion of Poland in the world

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

12

Talking about Poland’s role in the European Union Poland has been a member of the European Union since 2004. Even though this is but a short period in our national history, the EU holds a significant place in the social consciousness of Poles. The MFA conducts awareness activities which acquaint citizens with the way the EU functions, the changes it undergoes and the processes through which Poland shapes common European policies. Such activities are addressed to a broad range of social groups – young people, teachers, entrepreneurs, NGOs – and make use of the vast possibilities offered by electronic media, as well as more traditional forms of communication: conferences, lectures, publications, brochures. Thanks to the MFA’s ongoing cooperation with the nationwide network of Regional European Information Centres, such information is ever more accessible to all those interested in EU affairs.

Poland is one of the countries with the highest level of EU knowledge among citizens. Poles also demonstrate strong support for their country’s EU membership.

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

Photo: Mariusz Kosiński

Opening of the „Polish Path to the Presidency” exhibition, Old Town Square, Warsaw, November 2011

Photo: Mariusz Kosiński

European Library in Warsaw (operated by the MFA)

Photo: Mariusz Kosiński

MFA offices at the intersection of Szucha and Litewska Streets in Warsaw

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

14

Caring for Poland’s economic interests A country’s standing on the international arena depends primarily on its economic position, its level of innovation and the ability to reap the benefits of globalization. These features are characteristic of open and competitive economies formed by entrepreneurs and actively supported by government administration.

In order to meet this challenge Polish foreign policy must grant a permanent place to the promotion of economic interests and measures aimed at safeguarding national economic security. Fulfilling these objectives requires the cooperation of various ministries, government institutions and agencies, as well as self-regulatory organizations. One of our main tasks is to develop the potential of the Polish foreign service so as to effectively support the strategic goals of Poland’s economic policy.

In this context, our economy-oriented diplomatic activities focus mainly on strengthening Poland’s position in the international debate on global challenges (energy security, climate change, building a new economic order), creating favourable conditions for boosting Polish brands on foreign markets and supporting economic promotion, especially in countries of paramount importance for the growth of Polish trade and investment.

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

Photo: Iwona Starzyk

Minister Radosław Sikorski at the 38th World Economic Forum, Davos, 2011

Photo: Mariusz Kosiński

Conference on shale gas potential in Poland and Europe, Warsaw, 2011

Photo: Polish Embassy, Doha

Signing of the Contract on LNG Supplies, Doha, 2009

GR EENL A ND

Reykjavík

ICEL AND

FINL A

NORWAY SWEDEN

ESTO

L AT V

16

DENMARK

C ANADA IREL AND

Vancouver Ottawa Montreal Toronto Chicago UN ITE D STATE S USA O F AME RI C A

UNITED KINGD OM NETHERL ANDS GERMANY BELGIUM

FR ANCE

P ORTU GAL

P OL AND CZECH REPUBLIC SLOVAKIA

AUSTRIA

HUNGARY SLOVENIA ROM ITALY CROATIA B OSNIA AND SERBIA HERZEG OVINA MONTENEGRO BU

SWITZERL AND

New York Washington D.C.

LITHUANI

MACED ON ALBANIA

SPAIN

GREECE

Tunis

Algiers

Los Angeles

MALTA

T TUNISIA UN I S I A

M ORO CCO M ORO CCO

Rabat

L IBYA IBIA

BAHAMA BA HA MA S S

M E X ICO

Ram

Tripoli

A LGER IA

Havana

W E ST E R N SA H A R A

C UBA BA CU

Mexico City JAMAI JA MA ICC AA

OMI NI C AN HATI ITI D D OMINIC AN HAI REPU RE P UBLIC B LI C

M AUR ITA NIA

BBELIZE ELIZE

GUATEMAL A G UATE M AL A

HOND U R A S

NIGER

MALI

HOND U R A S

EL SALVAD OR E L SALVAD OR

NIC A R AGUA

NI C AR AG UA

C HA D

S ESENEGAL N EGA L GAMBIA GA MBIA

Caracas

COSTA RI C COSTA RIC AA PANAMA PA NA MA

GGUINE UI N EAA

V E N E ZU E L A

Bogotá

BUR KK I NI N A AFA SO BUR FA SO

GUINE G UI N E AA BISSAU B I SSAU

BENIN BENIN

TOGG TO OO GGHANA HANA COT E D ' I VO I R E COT E D ' I VO I R E L LIBER I B E RIAI A

SSIER I E RRRAA LLEONE EO N E

GU YA N A

CO LO M B I A

SU RI NAME FRENCH SU RINA ME GU YA NA FRE NC H G U I ANA

Abuja NIGER IA

ICIA C E CENTR N T R AAL L AFR AFR R EPUBLIC RE PUB L I C

C A M E RO O N

UATORR IAL EQEQUATO IAL GGUINE UI N EAA

EC UA D O R

GA B O N

CONNGGOO CO

DEM O R EPUB CON P E RU

BR A Z I L

Lima

Brasília

Luanda A NG OL A

BOLIVIA

CHILE

PAPA R AGUAY R AGUAY

São Paulo Curitiba

NA M IBIA BO

Pre

ARGE NTI NA

Santiago de Chile

U RU GUAY

SO UTH A SO UTH A

Buenos Aires

Polish diplomatic missions abroad

Embassy General Consulate Permanent Representation Consular agency Polish Institute

RUSS I A

AND

ONIA

VIA

Moscow

IA

Irkutsk

BEL ARUS

UKR AINE

Astana

K A Z A K H STA N

MONGOLIA

MANIA

GEORGIA

Tbilisi A ZERBAIJAN ARMENIA Baku Yerevan

ULGARIA NIA

E

A R ME NIA

T UR K E Y

Almaty

UUZZBE BEKKI STAN I STAN

G EORG IA

Ankara

TU RK ME NI STAN

Erbil CYPRUS Tehran Nicosia L EBANON SYSYRRIIAA IIRRAQ AQ mallah Beirut Damascus IRAN Tel Aviv Amman Baghdad

K Y RGY ZSTA N

Beijing

EGY P T

KU WAI T KUWAIT

SAU D I A R A B I A

Riyadh

PA K I STA N

Kuwait

PA K I STA N

New Delhi

NE PAL NEPA L

BBU HU TAN THA N

GATA R QATAR

Doha

Abu Dhabi

BANG L ADE BA NGL A DISHSH

U NI TE D AR ABAB UNITED AR E M I R ATE S EMIR ATES OMAN

I ND I A

Guangzhou M YA N M A R

T H A IL A N D

YE ME N

ERITRE E RIT R E AA

TA I WA N TAIWAN

Hong Kong

Hanoi

L AOS

Mumbai N O RT H SU DA N

Tokyo

Shanghai

I SR A E L

ISR AEL JOR DA N JORDAN

Cairo

JA PA N

R ERPUB L I COFO F EPUBLIC KOR KO REEAA

CHI NA

Islamabad

AFGHA N ISTA N

R EPUBLIC OF KOR E A

Pyongyang Seoul

TA JIKISTA N TAJI KI STAN

Kabul

CYPRUS L E BA NON

D E M O C R AT I C PEO PL E ’S CRLATIC PEOPLE’S RDEMO E PUB IC O F KO R E A

Tashkent

A ZE RBAI JAN

Bangkok

CA M BODIA ODIA C AMB

VIETNAM PH L I PPI N E S THE IPHILIPPINES

DJI B O O UUTI TI DJIB

Addis Ababa

E TH I O P I A

SO S OUTH SU DA N

ACNAN

SRI LL ANK A NK A A SRI

B RUN E I BUR DA RUSSA L AM NEI MA L AYS I A MALYSIA

S OMAL I A U GA N DA

CR AT I C BLIC O F NG O

Kuala Lumpur Singapore

K E N YA

Nairobi

RWAN DA RWANDA

IND ONESIA

BURUNDI BURUN GI

Jakarta

TA N Z A N I A

PA P UA N E W G UI N E A TIMORTIM O R-LESTE L E ST E

MAL AWI MA L AW I

ZAMB ZA M B IA IA

F INL A ND M OZ A M B I Q UE ZI M BABW BA BW E

MADAGA S C AR

NORWAY

Oslo

TSWANA ST WAN A

etoria

SWA SWAZIL ZI L AAND ND

Edinburgh

LESOTHO L ESOTHO

AF RI C A AF RI C A

Dublin IREL AND

Tallinn

SWED EN

ESTO N I A

Stockholm Riga

DENMARK

AUST R A L IA

L AT V I A

Smolensk

LI TH UA N I A

Vilnius Malmö Kaliningrad Minsk Grodno BEL A RUS Hamburg P OL AND NETHERL ANDS Brest G ERMANY Kharkiv The Hague Berlin Lutsk UKR A INE London Kiev Düsseldorf Lviv Brussels BELGIUM Cologne Leipzig Vinnytsia Prague Lille Ostrava CZ ECH Luxembourg REP UBLIC SLOVA K I A MO L D OVA Strasbourg Paris Bratislava Chis¸ inãu Odessa Munich Vienna Budapest F R ANC E Sevastopol AUSTRIA HUNGA RY Bern ROMA NIA AND SLOVENIA Geneva SWITZ ERLLjubljana Zagreb Bucharest Belgrade Lyon Milan CROATIA B OSNIA AND I TALY U NI T ED K I NGD OM

Copenhagen

Manchester

HERZ EG OVINA

P ORTU GAL

Lisbon

Saint Petersburg

Helsinki

Madrid

Vatican City Barcelona

S ER B I AS ER B I A

Sarajevo MONTENEGRO Podgorica Rome Tirana

Sofia BU LGA R I A Skopje

KOS OVO

A L BA N I A

T UR K E Y

G R EECE

S PAIN

Istanbul

MACED O N I A

Athens

Sydney Canberra NEW ZEL AND

Wellington NEW ZEAL AND

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

18

Actively involved in development cooperation Supporting the aspirations of developing countries is a relatively new form of international activity for Poland. Not that long ago, we ourselves were the beneficiaries of similar aid, which we received from countries that understood and recognized our goals. Bearing in mind the scope and significance of the assistance provided to us during the times of political upheaval, we consider it our moral obligation to work for the benefit of countries currently undergoing transformation.

Poland serves as a positive example of economic modernization and democratic transition.

Since our experiences can be used by developing countries, we are keen to respond to the challenges faced by the international community. We are fulfilling our obligations in line with agreements governing development cooperation. We believe that the concentration of resources and exchange of experiences contribute to the creation of an effective system of development assistance. An important part of Polish development aid is the co-financing and co-drafting of measures undertaken in this area by both the European Union and UN agencies.

Alongside our participation in multilateral aid programmes, Poland also implements its own bilateral cooperation projects with developing countries. We allocate the most funding towards cooperation with countries with priority status (in 2011, these consisted of Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Afghanistan, Angola, and the Palestinian Autonomy). Key partners for Poland’s cooperation include countries covered by the Eastern Partnership project. We support the modernization efforts and aspirations of our eastern neighbours, since we would like their regulatory framework to be as close as possible to EU standards.

Our involvement varies in scale and scope – it includes both rapid-response humanitarian actions and long-term development and democracy projects.

These actions are made possible thanks to the joint efforts of Polish officials, our diplomatic missions, NGOs, and volunteers. We are convinced that the responsibility for implementing processes and actions aimed at advancing socio-economic development and global prosperity also lies with our country.

We recognize, support and publicize efforts undertaken by Poles to help the inhabitants of countries which find themselves in a needier situation than Poland. In 2011, in a special competition addressed to journalists entitled “How do Poles help the world?”, we awarded reporters documenting the work of Poles who provide professional or volunteer assistance to developing countries.

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

Photo: Mariusz Kosiński

Official hand-over of the Polish EU Council Presidency logo to Krzysztof Stanowski, chair of the International Solidarity Foundation tasked with promoting democracy and distributing Polish development aid, 2012

Photo: Konrad Śmigielski

Floodproofing the Deh Daulat school building, Khwaja Omari District, Afghanistan, 2011

Photo: Katarzyna Zegadło, Polish Green Network

Meeting devoted to the project on “Building wells and supporting farmers in Tafi-Todje rural areas”, Ghana 2009

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

20

Cooperating with the Polish diaspora We highly value the activities undertaken by the Polish diaspora, which has proven time and time again that it is capable of effectively supporting Polish interests abroad. For Poland – which pursues its interests and shapes its positive image in Europe and around the world – the Polish communities present in almost every country are natural and precious allies. Ties between Poland and the citizens of other countries and Poles living abroad are based foremost on our greatest national treasure: Polish culture.

The relationship between Poland and the Polish diaspora is simple and obvious: Poland’s every success abroad strengthens their position in their country of residence; the stronger the position of the diaspora, the more knowledge about Poland gets disseminated in the foreign country. The main task of our newly defined, partner-based relations with the diaspora – which also represents Poland’s strategic objective vis-à-vis the diaspora – is to establish forms of understanding and solicit its assistance in the implementation of our country’s interests, as well as to use the potential of the Polish diaspora and Poles living abroad to create and promote a positive image of Poland around the world.

At the same time, we never forget about the state’s responsibility for all Poles and people of Polish origin, especially those residing in places where democracy has yet to establish a foothold. Polish tradition sees it an obvious duty to support them, protect their rights, and help them in meeting the needs arising from their Polish ancestry.

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

Photo: Mariusz Kosiński

Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski grants the Bene Merito Award to the doyen of Polish Americans, Władysław Zachariasiewicz, in recognition of his work to enhance Poland’s international position, September 2011

Photo: John Liviero

QV2: Second edition of the conference of young Polish leaders from the U.S. and Canada, Windsor, 2010

Photo: Robert Krzyżanowski

Exhibition on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the death of Polish engineer Ernest Malinowski, constructor of the Central Transandine Railway, Lima, 2009

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

22

Supporting Polish nationals abroad Many Polish and foreign citizens shape their opinions of Polish diplomacy, and thus indirectly also of our country, on the basis of contacts with consuls responsible for protecting the interests and rights of Poles living abroad. When acting as consular officers, we demand a lot of ourselves on the assumption that we must not only be quick and efficient, but also open and friendly to others.

The consular service primarily consists in support and care. Consular officers regularly encounter random situations that require their intervention: accidents, theft, hospitalization, arrests and cases of serious disability or death. They also perform a number of legal actions, such as the issuing of visas and passports, and are responsible for organizing presidential and parliamentary elections abroad.

Consular offices monitor the security situation in foreign countries and global regions. The MFA website features a constantly-updated newsletter entitled “Poles Abroad�.

The implementation of new IT systems for issuing visas and passports has enhanced the efficiency of our consulates. The improved e-Consulate system enables applicants to prepare visa applications and submit them to the relevant diplomatic post in electronic format, make consular appointments and voluntarily register their stay abroad. Selected missions offer mobile consular services which allow officials to perform certain operations outside consulates, thus saving applicants the hassle of having to appear on-site.

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

Photo : Danuta Greszczuk

Official opening of the first Visa Application Filing Point, one of 14 such offices opened by the MFA in Ukraine, November 2011

Photo: General Consulate in New York

Voting in Elections to the Polish Sejm and Senate, Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in New York, 9 October 2011

Photo: Mariusz Kosiński

Granting of the Andrzej Kremer “Consul of the Year” Award, handed out since 2010, to Krzysztof Ciebień, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Guangzhou, November 2011

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

24

An efficient and modern approach The Polish foreign service is a modern and well-trained corps, conscious of its mission and increasingly better equipped. We want it to be an effective service, capable of granting Poland an international position which corresponds to its potential and aspirations.

A growing number of Ministry employees are equipped with technologically advanced tools – smartphones and secure laptops. But these are just the tangible examples of far deeper changes. For over four years now, the Ministry has been implementing a modernization programme aimed at reforming the MFA’s organizational structure, institutional culture and quality management system. The MFA’s modernization process is based on both an in-depth analysis of the international situation and on the real tasks and needs of the Ministry. Reforms currently carried through by the Polish MFA will allow us to adapt to the new foreign service structures of the majority of highly-developed countries.

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

Photo: Mariusz Kosiński

Training staff in the use of state-of-the-art communications equipment

Photo: Polish Institute, Bucharest

Library at the Polish Institute, Bucharest

Photo: MAŁECCY biuro projektowe.

Interiors of the Consulate General opened in 2009 in Vinnytsya, Ukraine

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

26

The power of tradition and institutional memory One of the key factors which help streamline the functioning of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is caring for institutional memory and disseminating knowledge in the field of Poland’s diplomatic tradition. In recognition of this, in 2009 the Minister of Foreign Affairs decided to make the 16th of November – the day Marshal Józef Piłsudski dispatched a cable to world leaders proclaiming the rebirth of the Polish state in 1918 – Foreign Service Day. The Ministry is also active in the field of publishing. The MFA has rolled out albums devoted to the Polish diplomatic tradition, as well as series of publications on the history of Polish foreign affairs. Diplomatic missions abroad implement projects documenting the history of bilateral ties. The MFA also comprises an Archive which makes documents created after 1945 available to researchers for professional and scientific purposes. The Archive also gathers objects linked to the history of the foreign service – stamps, uniforms, and distinctions.

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

Photo: Mariusz Kosiński

Polish President Bronisław Komorowski at the exhibition held on the occasion of Foreign Service Day, November 2010

Photo: MFA

Official annotations on a diplomatic passport of the Second Polish Republic, issued in 1938 to Stanisław Wyszyński

Photo: MFA

Diplomatic uniform from 1936 belonging to Henryk Sokolnicki, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Legation in Helsinki

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

28

Setting the standard in contacts between countries • As Poland’s official protocol, we define and confirm the general protocol rules to be implemented by central and local government administration.

• We plan and programme visits of heads of state and government and foreign ministers, and we are responsible for seeing through these visits.

• We provide protocolar assistance at diplomatic functions hosted by Poland’s President, Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister.

• We make sure that members of diplomatic missions, consular posts and representations of international organizations receive proper conditions to carry out their work, in line with international agreements and norms.

• We are responsible for granting orders and distinctions to foreign nationals and Polish citizens living abroad.

• We host the “Diplomatic Gallery” where – together with the Mariusz Kazana Foundation operating under the auspices of the Foreign Ministry – we hold exhibitions highly praised by representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited to Poland.

We invite you to visit the “Diplomatic Protocol ” section of the MFA website, where you will find: • A list of diplomatic missions and consular posts in Poland • Information about international organizations present in Poland • An alphabetical list of diplomatic staff and consular officers in Poland • Order of precedence of heads of missions • A list of national days

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

Photo: Łukasz Kamiński (Presidential Chancellery)

New Year’s Meeting hosted by the Polish President, January 2012

Directors of the Diplomatic Protocol at Piłsudski Square during the official visit of H.M. King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden and H.M. Queen Sylvia to Poland, May 2011

Photo: Daria Chmielewska de Narmont

Photo: Piotr Molęcki (Presidential Chancellery)

Official visit to Poland of the President of the Swiss Confederation Ms Micheline Calmy-Rey, June 2011

SERVING POLAND, BUILDING EUROPE, UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD

30

Working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs The greatest asset of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is its professional staff. Every year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers university graduates a chance to take part in diplomatic and consular training. The one-year course, which culminates in an examination and the awarding of a diplomatic rank, prepares trainees to perform professional diplomatic service. In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organizes open competitions to fill vacancies at the Ministry.

For more information on working at the Ministry, visit www.rekrutacja.msz.gov.pl.

Photo: Mariusz Kosiński

Ceremony awarding the first diplomatic rank

SERVING P OL AND

BUIL DING EUROPE

UNDERSTANDING T HE WORL D

SERVING P OL AND

BUIL DING EUROPE

UNDERSTANDING T HE WORL D

Ministr y of Foreign Affairs Bureau of Archives and Information Management Tel . + 4 8 22 523 86 3 3 al . J. Ch. Szucha 23 0 0 - 5 80 Warsaw, Poland w ww.msz.gov.pl w ww.poland.gov.pl ISBN 978 - 8 3 - 6 374 3 - 0 3 -1