Norway does not belong to the European Union, but is part of a community of ideas, values, strategies and security," said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish during the Norwegian-Polish Defence manufacture Seminar. It was besides attended by Norwegian abroad Minister Espen Barth Eide. Politicians talked about expanding safety cooperation.
Norwegian F-35 and Polish F-16 during joint exercises on Poland.
The national defence minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and the head of the Norwegian MFA Espen Barth Eide met as part of the panel "Polish-Norwegian safety and defence cooperation – what can both countries do together to increase allied deterrence and industrial capacity?". Kosiniak-Kamish came to the gathering straight from the Sejm, in which he listened exposé Radosław Sikorski on the tasks of Polish abroad policy. And it was to his diagnosis of an unprecedentedly hard minute for Europe and safety challenges that both politicians referred to during the panel.
Cooperation and its development
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed that Poland and Norway have been building alliance relations for a long time and success. – I want those who do not know – and most likely are most curious – to realise that this awareness of Polish-Norwegian cooperation has existed for a long time: Norwegian pilots have supported us, They were stationed at our air base.from which they operated flights protecting Polish airspace. Thank you so much for that. I had the chance to meet the Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Norway there – said Deputy Prime Minister. – Norwegian soldiers, their airport safety equipment in Jasionka – NASAMS batteries that safe airspace over the largest and longest-functioning hub – are a symbol of Polish-Norwegian cooperation, which is realized both within the North Atlantic Alliance and through the Norwegian Funds, for which we are very grateful. More contracts have been signed. Poles appreciate it very much," he added.
Alliances not only in the EU
Kosiniak-Kamish stressed respective times that although Norway does not belong to the European Union, it is an crucial partner in building safety on the continent. He besides informed that he was preparing a fresh agreement between Poland and Norway with the head of the Norwegian MON concerning the future cooperation of national defence ministers, the army and defence industries of both countries. "After 30 years, we believe that this agreement needs to be signed again, due to the fact that the situation is radically different," he said. He besides referred to the alleged White Paper presented by the European Commission in March, a plan to improve European defence. – I believe the fresh ReArm Europe program it is addressed not only to members of the European Union, but besides to our iron allies. For this reason, it was so crucial to make joint ventures between Poland and Norway – possibly besides involving Ukraine. This would be a large invitation for her to join the European Union. Although this is simply a complex process, joint business initiatives, peculiarly in the area of security, are a tangible signal of life in the community," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
The head of the MON besides pointed out that it was to the north of Europe that the point of gravity should be moved, building strategical alliances. – Norwegians and Poles know each another well. We have a akin sensitivity to past and tradition, as well as a very good sense of common needs. If our voice is heard more in Europe, I can see the future of the continent as part of the alliance of northern Europe, which Poland wants to belong to. Polish-Scandian alliance, Baltic – this is refreshing for Europe – he noted.
The Norwegian-Polish Defence manufacture Seminar took place the day after the gathering of the Secretary of State in the MON-Pauła Bejda with the Secretary of State of National Defence of Norway Marte Gerhardsen. The talks afraid defence cooperation between Poland and Norway, with peculiar emphasis on the current safety challenges and long-term defence projects.
