The heads of the defence ministries of Poland and Spain, Mariusz Blaszczak, and Margarita Robles Fernández, met in Warsaw to discuss mutual cooperation on the security and defence of both countries. An important point of the meeting was the signing of the ‘Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Defence of Poland and Spain’.

The talks focused on the prospects for Polish-Spanish cooperation within NATO – particularly related to the strengthening of the Alliance’s eastern flank. The security situation in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine was also a prominent theme. Other subjects included the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy and new forms of cooperation in the field of defence.

Ministers also discussed the implementation of the provisions of the NATO Madrid Summit, which took place at a key moment for transatlantic security, during the biggest crisis since World War II, caused by Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine.

The summit adopted the Strategic Concept, a document indicating NATO’s key goals and objectives in the face of an increasingly dangerous and unpredictable geopolitical situation. The concept outlines a new policy toward Russia and reaffirms the determination to defend every ally.

The meeting of defence ministers was held as part of the Polish-Spanish intergovernmental consultations chaired by the prime ministers of both countries. The main topics were bilateral relations, including economic issues, security matters and the situation in Ukraine.

The consultations coincided with the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, regulating Polish-Spanish relations after the political transition. “This event gives the relationship between the two countries a privileged character. This is reflected in regular and dynamic bilateral political dialogue at all levels”, reports the Ministry of Defence.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński