Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has responded to presidential criticism, following an exchange with Karol Nawrocki over diplomatic protocols.
Response to Presidential Invitation
Following a critique of his Washington visit by Karol Nawrocki, Radoslaw Sikorski received an invitation from the Polish President to discuss the matter. In response, Sikorski formally accepted: “Dear President, thank you for the invitation. I am always at your disposal. I would like to note that as a politician, I will ask why your people were reporting on the Prime Minister and the democratic government of free Poland, trying to block access to the White House.”
Nomination of Ambassadors
Sikorski also addressed the nominations of ambassadors, which President Andrzej Duda had disagreed with. This led to Charge d’Affaires temporarily filling several key diplomatic positions in Poland, including in the United States and Italy. The Foreign Minister stated, “I count on resolving the ratification of candidates nominated in accordance with the law, by parliamentary recommendations and the consent of the receiving countries.”
Navigating Diplomatic Protocol
The conflict between the presidential circle and the government arose shortly before Karol Nawrocki’s trip to Washington. This involved instructions prepared by the Foreign Ministry for the President, which were later published in the media, leading to escalated tensions. In addition, the decision was made to ensure that the presidential delegation would not have any representatives from the Foreign Ministry—marking the first time this had occurred in years.
Political Culture and Manners
Radoslaw Sikorski discussed the criticism during his interview with TVP Info, stating, “I prefer political culture where we do not attack each other abroad and, in relation to foreign countries, we appear as patriots of our home country.” While addressing the personal attacks, Sikorski noted, “If you want to create such an atmosphere, I can say that when a politician talks about themselves in third person, it means it’s already starting to bounce back.”
