The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserted that Poland wields influence over developments in Brussels, notably in defense matters and Ukraine aid. Yet the message was clear: Europe is more than Poland, and the continent’s future is shaped by many voices, not a single capital, he reminded in a candid interview with the weekly Polityka. The question echoed through the conversation: where is the bold diplomacy associated with Donald Tusk’s government?
Sikorski explained that Poland’s weight, population, and economic strength translate into real sway in Brussels. Influence is earned by being a reliable partner, producing tangible results, and engaging in steady, constructive diplomacy that resonates across the European Union’s diverse landscape.
The speaker described success as the ability to operate in a higher weight category, leveraging growth and resilience to punch above one’s perceived size. It was a metaphor for policy ambition that refuses to settle for status quo when the region faces pressing challenges.
What kind of EU does Sikorski envision?
Asked to envision the future Union, the foreign affairs chief outlined a path toward closer integration in areas where Poles and other Europeans demand coordinated action. He pointed to public health as a prime example where deeper cooperation could yield tangible benefits for all member states.
The pandemic exposed gaps in coordination, especially in access to masks, ventilators, and vaccines. The European Commission framed these issues as questions of internal market rules and the free movement of goods, rather than health alone. The lesson highlighted the need for strategic resilience, including a shared stockpile of medicines and more robust supply chains to reduce dependence on external suppliers. Standards across the Union, particularly in cancer care and other high-stakes health areas, were presented as a natural arena for integration and reform.
The foreign affairs official noted that europhobics sometimes miss the practical dimension of EU regulation. Veterinary rules and similar standards are not barriers but scaffolding that helps businesses operate smoothly across borders. When 27 sets of national standards would otherwise complicate the sale of a single product, unified EU rules can streamline commerce and protect consumers alike.
In the same vein, a more integrated approach to health and consumer safety is seen as a cornerstone of a stronger Union that can respond decisively to shared threats and opportunities. The argument was that a well-structured internal market, coupled with robust public health planning, strengthens not only individual countries but the entire bloc.
The EU with a substantial economic footprint cannot be defenseless
With ongoing research and the pressures of the war in Ukraine, the case was made for deeper cooperation in defense policy. The aim is not to drag every member through every crisis, but to ensure the Union can deter threats and protect its citizens effectively. The rhetoric stressed that an EU with substantial resources and a clear strategy should not leave itself exposed to external shocks or unilateral actions that undermine collective security.
The discussion also touched on the role of the United States. While allied, Washington is selective about involvement along Europe’s borders. The analysis recalled past interventions, noting that regional security is increasingly a shared responsibility requiring capable European frameworks and autonomous readiness for quick decisions when needed.
Against the backdrop of these arguments, questions persist about how far Poland should press its diplomacy. Critics have asked whether the ambitious rhetoric associated with leaders like Donald Tusk and the Civic Platform party still holds, given what some perceive as a shift toward more pragmatic restraint. The interview underscored a steady principle: influence is earned through consistent actions that align with EU priorities, not through mere rhetoric about returning to a louder public stage. The aim is a practical, engaged role in shaping Brussels’ agenda while preserving national interests within a united Europe.
In sum, the discussion presents a vision of Polish diplomacy that blends realism with ambition. It calls for stronger European unity in health, finance, and security, anchored by a Poland that participates as a reliable, constructive partner in shaping policy at the European level. The question remains how the country will balance its national priorities with the broader interests of the inside-out EU, a balance that will define its influence in Brussels for years to come.
olnk/PAP/wPolityce.pl
Source: wPolityce