Minister Rau attends NATO summit in Madrid

The summit in Madrid focused on Russia's aggression against Ukraine and its impact on the Euro-Atlantic community. The allies discussed ongoing support to Kyiv, the implications of Europe's radically changed security situation for the North Atlantic Alliance, as well as the long-term adaptation of NATO to current threats and challenges.

The new Strategic Concept was adopted during the Summit setting out NATO's main lines of action and development over a number of years. It pinpoints Russia as most serious and direct threat to the security of the allies and reiterates that the collective defence against all threats remains the Alliance's main aim and responsibility. Further steps to facilitate the Alliance's military adaptation and enhance Allied presence at NATO's eastern flank, including Poland, were agreed during the meeting.

The Allies decided to invite Finland and Sweden to join NATO. It was a historic step and will result in the extension of security and co-operation zone in Europe by strengthening transatlantic community as it faces a threat from Russia.

During the summit in Madrid, the NATO foreign ministers met with their counterparts from Jordan and Mauritania. They discussed joint measures to be taken to mitigate global impact of Russia's aggression on Ukraine. Minister Rau was particularly concerned with the food crisis, which primarily affects the developing countries. He assured that "Poland is doing its best to mitigate impact of Russia's aggression on Ukraine and help those most in need." He presented measures taken by Poland to transport produce from Ukraine.

Minister Rau also attended a meeting of NATO heads of state and government, including the one where Ukraine's President V. Zelensky took the floor. Poland's top diplomat also accompanied President Andrzej Duda during his bilateral meeting with President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk-yeol.

Next NATO summit is to take place in Vilnius in 2023.

Łukasz Jasina
MFA Press Spokesperson

Photo: NATO Press Office