““Because nowadays there is so much criticism of Medvedev, who suddenly became so bad, a reminder of his Polish fans who demanded a permanent format of security consultations with Russia (the so-called Medvedev plan),” wrote Dr. Hab. on social media. Sławomir Cenckiewicz and posted a scan of the document from 2010.
The director of the Military Historical Bureau presented a scan of Radosław Sikorski’s letter to Prime Minister Donald Tusk dated December 22, 2010.
Document content
In connection with the proposal submitted by the President of the Russian Federation, D. Medvedev, in Warsaw during talks with the President and the Prime Minister regarding the establishment of a permanent mechanism for bilateral consultations on security policy, I would like to inform you In the opinion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this initiative deserves a positive assessment. It can be part of filling the new gap in bilateral relations with important content for us. It creates the opportunity for regular discussions with the Russian side on issues important for the security of Poland and Europe
– wrote the then head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski.
It is an expression of recognition of Poland’s growing role in NATO and the EU and its influence in shaping the eastern policies of these institutions. The upcoming Polish presidency of the EU is also an important context. Topics proposed by the Russian side include issues such as state assessment and prospects for cooperation between the European Union-Russia and NATO-Russia. We believe that we should not limit ourselves to the topics suggested by partners, but put the most important issues on the agenda from the point of view of our interests.
– we read in the document presented by Cenckiewicz.
NATO-Russia cooperation
It stated: “the issue of cooperation within the NATO-Russia Council, issues related to the Kaliningrad Oblast, the anti-missile defense system, conventional arms control in Europe, especially the CFE Treaty, post-START, the Common Security and Defense Policy, licenses for weapons and military equipment”.
In my opinion, a permanent mechanism of Polish-Russian consultation in the field of security policy could take the following form: once a year – consultation at the level of Foreign Ministers, twice a year – consultation at the level of State Secretaries , if necessary – consultation at the level of department directors. The mechanism should not be a simple continuation of existing, routine conversations, but should introduce a new quality to mutual relationships.
– requested Minister Sikorski.
If the above mechanism is accepted, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will enter into consultations with the Russian side at the level of directors of departments responsible for security policy. The aim will be to present our concept of a permanent mechanism to the partners and prepare organizational and substantive consultations at the level of the Undersecretaries of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (on the Russian side, Min. S. Ryabkov and Min. A Gruszko, responsible for issues of the Common Security and Defense Policy and the OSCE
– we read in the document.
I would like to emphasize that it is beneficial for Poland to initiate a new consultation mechanism in the spring of 2011, so that consultations at Foreign Ministers level will take place during the Polish Presidency in the second half of the year. We will do everything we can to ensure that this mechanism is truly permanent and does not expire after the end of the EU Presidency
– informed the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ultimately, consideration could be given to organizing a summit meeting in bilateral or multilateral form, along the lines of the German-French-Russian summit in Deauville in October 2010 (e.g. the Weimar Triangle and Russia summit dedicated to international security issues)
– summarized the minister in a letter from 2010.
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edy/PAP
Source: wPolityce