Andrzej Duda Presents Three Main Pillars of the NATO Summit in Warsaw

During the joint press conference involving the NATO Secretary General and the President of Poland, Duda presented the three basic goals related to organization of the NATO summit in Poland. Firstly, the summit should be “universal”, ensuring that both the Eastern, as well as the Western NATO flank is reinforced. This is a result of the joint character of the Organization, the main objective of which is to defend the allies from all types of potential threat. Secondly, decisions made during the summit shall be focused on the future endeavors. This means that they should make it possible to protect the NATO member states from the threats that may arise in a long-term dimension. Finally, according to Andrzej Duda, the Warsaw summit is to have a decisive value, meaning that it would result in implementation of the arrangements that would significantly increase the defence and deterrence potential, so that any aggression against the member states would be unaffordable.

During his statement, Duda also referred to the dialogue with Russia, showing that it cannot be suspended, however, the current situation cannot be disregarded, as it has been - to a large extent - created by the Russians. Within the context above the Polish President stressed the fact that the international law must be considered as the primary value, when it comes to the relationship with Moscow, as this law is one of the guarantees of peace. This referred mainly to the annexation of Crimea, or to the fact that the Russians have entered the Donbas region.

Andrzej Duda noted that in order to make NATO adapted to the changed security context, the alliance shall increase its presence in Central Europe, both within the scope of the forces present in that region, as well as within the scope of the infrastructure. The aforementioned infrastructure shall provide NATO with an option of being reinforced, should a threat arise. 

Not only did Duda stress the importance of the NATO military presence in the Central-Eastern Europe, as similar importance was given to the assistance and support mechanisms that would be launched, should an armed aggression be directed against the Eastern NATO member states. The NATO presence in the region shall be visible and permanent.
Andrzej Duda also referred to the “open door” policy pursued by NATO, inviting the partner nations to take part in the summit, including Sweden, Finland, Australia, Jordan and Georgia.

Polish President also recalled the fact that Russia is creating and demonstrating its military potential, e.g. in the Kaliningrad region or in the Baltic Sea area, showing that the above process is a basis to undertake respective decisions, pertaining the improvement of the defence potential that would have to be started by all of the NATO member states. On the other hand, the southern flank threats require NATO to improve the alliance’s counter-terrorism capabilities.

The Polish President also placed the emphasis on the alliance’s southern flank, including the Middle East and the Northern Africa regions, which is quite significant point that was made in his statement.
Such approach may be helpful in creating a consensus, during the Warsaw Summit.

Read More: Stoltenberg: Redzikowo Base - Construction Works Will Begin In The Spring. More NATO in Poland than Ever, After the Polish Summit.