Visit to Poland
I have been in taking part in sessions on geopolitics at the European Forum for New Ideas in Sopot, near Gdansk, and listening to perspectives from Poland and its neighbourhood. The war in Ukraine & how to end it is understandably on everyone’s mind.
Poland becomes the world’s 20th biggest economy this year. It is an important player in the European Union and beyond.
In April 2005, I opened New Zealand’s embassy in Warsaw. This was the year after Poland entered the EU. It was important for NZ to have a diplomatic presence in the country, as its size was always going to ensure that it became very influential in the EU with which NZ shares many values and positions. Preserving and expanding access to the EU market is an important priority for NZ.
It was good that NZ parliament delegation was in Warsaw last week. To highlight the importance of the NZ-Poland relationship.