Meeting of Polish and German Defence Ministers in Szczecin
2012-02-08
8.02. Szczecin. „Today’s meeting is one more impulse for further bilateral co-operation of the armed forces of both countries” – with these words Minister Tomasz Siemoniak started bilateral talks with German Defence Minister.
The forthcoming NATO summit in Chicago, mission in Afghanistan and bilateral co-operation were the main topics of discussions of Minister of National Defence Tomasz Siemoniak and Defence Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany Thomas de Maiziere.
During meeting the ministers were talking about mission in Afghanistan in the context of the forthcoming NATO summit in Chicago. Minister Siemoniak emphasised that Polish and German standpoint in this matter is the same. Both countries expect that during NATO summit in Chicago recommendations on directions of NATO activity in Afghanistan in 2012-2014 will be settled and the directions of activities for 2014 will be specified. “One more time I would like to stress that we entered Afghanistan together and we will leave together. It is a standpoint defined during NATO summit in Lisbon” – minister Siemoniak emphasised.
German Defence Minister pointed out the need of replacement of coalition forces, withdrawn from Afghanistan, both in number and quality by the Afghan Security Forces. “We agree not only that the withdrawal of forces must be both in number and quality replaced by the Afghan Security Forces, but also on the fact that political process, parallel to transition, is needed, in order to avoid an opinion that our engagement before 2014 was unsuccessful” – said minister T. Maiziere.
During discussion on NATO presence in Afghanistan German Defence Minister expressed recognition for Polish soldiers serving in that mission.
Another important subject of talks was widening of bilateral co-operation between the armed forces of both countries. A good example of that – as minister Siemoniak noticed - are common exercises. “Exercises are a good moment for strengthening and exchanging experiences” – he said. He also stated that NATO summit in Chicago will be an opportunity for broadening bilateral co-operation. “I think the nearest months, especially in the context of NATO summit , will be a period of an intensive bilateral co-operation” – stressed minister Siemoniak.
Polish Defence Minister thanked Minister Maiziere for declaration of participation of German soldiers in common exercises.
Moreover, the ministers were talking about the process of restructuring the armed forces of both countries. “It is a process that at present is taking place in many countries. (…) We are observing with great respect the bold attitude and courage in carrying out that process. We want to learn from each other and exchange experiences at Defence Ministers level.’ – said German Defence Minister T. de Maiziere.
Other subjects of talks, connected with bilateral co-operation were: functioning of MNCNE, Eurocorps in Strasbourg, an issue of Patriot missiles (so called German) and repair and modernisation of Leopard tanks.
The meeting of the ministers and delegations of Ministries of Defence was held on the premises of the Szczecin 12th Mechanised Division (ul. B. Zaleskiego 2). Minister Tomasz Siemoniak was accompanied by the chief of General Staff General Mieczysław Cieniuch.
Text: Bogumiła Piekut
Photo: WO Artur Zakrzewski
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