Peace, stability crucial for South Asian progress & prosperity: Polish envoy

 

H E Mr. Piotr A Opalinski

Piotr Opalinski says Poland supports Afghan peace process from the beginning

An exclusive interview with the Polish Ambassador Mr. Piotr A. Opaliński

The Polish envoy’s opening remarks concerned the value which Poland places on its relations with Pakistan, which it aims to transform into a strong and reliable partnership. The two countries’ ties reach back all the way to Pakistan’s independence, although contact between our lands, primarily in the shape of occasional expeditions by travelers or explorers, goes back all the way to the Middle Ages.

A significant element of our shared past relates to a group of Polish pilots headed by Air Commodore Władysław Turowicz, who after having served during World War II moved to Pakistan upon its independence, where they made notable contributions to the creation and professionalization of the Pakistani Air Force. The pilots’ graves are located at Gora Qabristan in Karachi and Rawalpindi, under keen supervision and solemn remembrance of the Polish mission, which in accordance with Polish customs visits, cleans, and renovates the graves every November 1^st. On account of their involvement during the war and in later years, the pilots are celebrated as distinguished heroes of two nations – Poland and Pakistan both – a uniquely uniting element of history.

Currently Poland and Pakistan enjoy cordial, multifaceted relations in the fields of political contacts, military cooperation, economic partnerships, and cultural exchange. These are currently on the rise, as both countries increase in significance in their respective regions. So is our trade volume, which having topped €500 million in 2019 will doubtlessly achieve new heights in the coming years.

On the topic of regional situation, his Excellency noted that peace and stability, both political and economic, are a crucial factor in the development prospects of South Asia as well as the region’s future prosperity. Fittingly, Poland has supported the Afghan Peace Process from the start and took an active part in Middle East’s affairs by hosting a ministerial level meeting between concerned parties in 2019. It acknowledges Pakistan’s role in the talks’ conception as well as its continuous contribution to their maintenance, and remains ever watchful of new developments. Polish diplomatic stance stresses the importance of achieving conciliation in Afghanistan through peaceful means, in order to create a predictable and constructive atmosphere between neighboring countries, Pakistan foremost among them.

For the past 25 years Poland and Pakistan have been constantly developing their cooperation in areas of defense and energy, exemplified by the Polish Oil and Gas company (PGNiG) successfully operating in Sindh and Baluchistan to deliver gas to Pakistani households and businesses. Nevertheless, Poland can also be a source of inspiration and technology when it comes to another area. With a long and eminent history of food production in Poland, this Central European country has been delivering its agricultural produce, cost-effective farming techniques, and innovative food processing solutions across the world. It is now beginning to eye Pakistan for the same purpose. The hope is it will respond with matching interest. Nonetheless, the economic relation between Poland and Pakistan does not have to be unidirectional. On account of its good infrastructure, favorable geographical location, and a wide network of transport links, Poland has been noticed by smart business for its potential as a logistical and production hub for all of Europe. With the ever increasing volume and value of Pakistani exports to the EU member states, especially under the GSP+ scheme of preferences, Pakistani businesses are well-suited to avail themselves of the same opportunity as countless before them and set up trade links in Poland.

Poland is also involved in Pakistan in the area of human rights and development, working directly with Pakistani partners. Knowing the strengths of the education sector in Poland it should come as no surprise that it takes particular interest in Pakistani schools. It had helped renovate and support schools in Kaghan Valley and Bari Imam village near Islamabad. Poland is also a strong supporter of Pakistan’s inclusion in the GSP+ scheme of preferences, which it sees as a mechanism for helping Pakistan achieve its own constitutional human rights goals.

Ambassador Piotr Opalinski said Poland is directly working with Pakistani partners in human rights sector. And we are supporting some school in Kaghan valley and with our partner in Bari Imam area. Poland is providing quality education, some medical assistance to the students in slum areas in Islamabad as well.

Talking in an exclusive interview, the Polish Ambassador Mr. Piotr Opaliński described current relations between Pakistan and Poland as ‘excellent’ and noted their continuous improvement with distinct pleasure. Although our partnership has a substantial historical background, the Ambassador stressed the importance of improving modern people-to-people exchanges and personal contacts, which give meaning and substance to any bilateral ties as well as create an impetus for further development. In his words, the friendship between Poland and Pakistan is both genuine and time-tested. Much more than sporadic and ostentatious one-off displays, these two qualities form a prerequisite for establishing mutual trust and paving a further way forward.

Mr. Opaliński’s own career betokens that steady and measured approach. His first posting in Pakistan commenced in 1999, when he served as the Consul General and DHM (Deputy Head of Mission) of the Polish Embassy for 6 consecutive years. He has been connected with South Asia ever since, having also served in India and Bangladesh. Altogether, he has lived in the region for almost 30 years, becoming a veritable specialist in its affairs. His current station as the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Islamabad, which he has been performing for the past 6 years, bespeaks of his professional merits and strong credentials as a diplomat. On a personal level Mr. Opaliński often notes that what keeps bringing him back to Pakistan is his love for this land and its people, which he confirms has always been reciprocated.