On 30 November and 1 December, Minister Zbigniew Rau took part in a meeting of NATO foreign ministers, which was held in Riga. The talks focused on current challenges to the security of the Alliance and the Euro-Atlantic area posed by the activity of Russian forces at the border with Ukraine, and the crisis at the Polish-Belarusian border. In his address, Minister Zbigniew Rau emphasised that NATO must send a clear message that “any aggression is unacceptable and that the Alliance is ready to take decisive deterrence and defence measures in order to ensure the security of its members.” The ministers agreed that in view of Russia’s aggressive attitude the whole Alliance has to stay united and demonstrate solidarity.

The meeting of foreign ministers was also an opportunity to reflect on the new Strategic Concept and to consult the preparations for the upcoming NATO summit which will be held in Madrid next year. As regards the deteriorating security situation in the Euro-Atlantic area, Minister Rau called for strengthening NATO’s key role in collective defence.

NATO heads of diplomacy met with their counterparts from Georgia and Ukraine to assure them of the Alliance’s support for the two countries and discuss joint actions with reference to the tensions in eastern Europe. The allies also discussed the lessons learned from NATO’s engagement in Afghanistan as well as the current situation in the Western Balkans. The last session was also attended by Finnish and Swedish foreign ministers and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

On the sidelines of the event, the chief of Polish diplomacy held bilateral meetings with his British, Spanish, Swedish, and Icelandic counterparts. During the meeting with head of the UK’s diplomacy, Minister Lizz Truss, the top diplomats discussed continued British support at the border with Belarus and actions that should be taken in the face of security threats, especially in view of Russia’s attitude. The talks with Foreign Minister of Spain José Manuel Albares focused on the prospects for enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in the area of politics, economy and defence. The meeting with Foreign Minister of Sweden Ann Linde provided an opportunity to exchange information on the OSCE chairpersonship.  Key objectives of Poland’s 2022 OSCE Chairmanship were also discussed with Iceland’s Foreign Minister Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir, along with prospects for developing bilateral cooperation.