Foreign relations of Poland

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Republic of Poland is a Central European country and member of the European Union and NATO, among others. Poland wields considerable influence in Central and Eastern Europe and is a middle power in international affairs. The foreign policy of Poland is based on four basic commitments: to Atlantic co-operation, to European integration, to international development and to international law.

The signing by President Aleksander Kwaśniewski of the treaty on Poland's accession to the European Union.

The Polish economy is fairly open and relies strongly on international trade. Since the collapse of communism and its re-establishment as a democratic nation, Poland has extended its responsibilities and position in European and Western affairs, supporting and establishing friendly foreign relations with both the West and with numerous European countries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Poland) looks after the foreign relations of Poland. As of May 2024 the ministry was held by Radosław Sikorski.

History

Foreign policy topics are covered in the history articles:

Integration with the West and Europe

After regaining independence in 1989, Poland has ahead on its economic reintegration with the Western world.[1] Poland also has been an active nation in advocating European integration.

In 1994, Poland became an associate member of the European Union (EU) and its defensive arm, the Western European Union (WEU). In 1996, Poland achieved full OECD membership and submitted preliminary documentation for full EU membership.

Poland formally joined the European Union in May 2004, along with the other members of the Visegrád Group.

the European Union membership

NATO membership

Włodzimierz Cimoszewicz told a 2014 audience at the Wilson Center that Poland sought to join NATO as early as 1992.[2]

In 1997, Poland was invited in the first wave of NATO enlargement at the July 1997 NATO Madrid summit. In March 1999, Poland became a full member of NATO. Poland promoted its NATO candidacy through energetic participation in the Partnership for Peace (PfP) program and through intensified individual dialogue with NATO.

Poland was a part of the multinational force in Iraq.

Diplomatic relations

List of countries which Poland maintains diplomatic relations with:[3]

More information #, Country ...
# Country Date
1 Italy 27 February 1919[4]
2 Belgium 6 March 1919[5]
3  Switzerland 12 March 1919[6]
4 Greece 13 March 1919[7]
5 Japan 22 March 1919[8]
6 France 2 April 1919[9]
7 United States 2 May 1919[10]
8 Spain 30 May 1919[11]
— Holy See 6 June 1919[12]
9 Czech Republic 21 June 1919[13]
10 Romania 22 June 1919[14]
11 Netherlands 4 July 1919[15]
12 United Kingdom 15 July 1919[16]
13 Sweden 2 August 1919[17]
14 Norway 25 August 1919[18]
15 Denmark 8 September 1919[19]
16 Serbia 19 September 1919[20]
17 Finland 7 February 1920[21]
18 Brazil 27 May 1920[22]
19 Uruguay 22 July 1920[23]
20 Paraguay 12 August 1920[23]
21 Chile 7 December 1920[24]
22 Latvia 27 January 1921[25]
23 Luxembourg 18 April 1921[26]
24 Russia 27 April 1921[27]
25 Estonia 4 May 1921[28]
26 Austria 6 September 1921[23]
27 Bulgaria 6 September 1921[23]
28 Hungary 17 November 1921[23]
29 Portugal 13 May 1922[29]
30 Argentina 19 July 1922[30]
31 Turkey 23 July 1923[31]
32 Peru 6 September 1923[32]
33 Egypt 1927[33]
34 Iran 19 March 1927[34]
35 Afghanistan 3 November 1927[35]
36 Mexico 26 February 1928[36]
37 Iraq 22 December 1932[37]
38 Cuba 1 January 1933[38]
39 Colombia 18 November 1933[39]
40 Costa Rica 18 November 1933[39]
41 Dominican Republic 18 November 1933[39]
42 Ecuador 18 November 1933[40]
43 El Salvador 18 November 1933[39]
44 Haiti 18 November 1933[39]
45 Honduras 18 November 1933[39]
46 Nicaragua 18 November 1933[39]
47 Panama 18 November 1933[39]
48 Venezuela 18 November 1933[39]
49 Guatemala 20 January 1934[41]
50 Bolivia 3 September 1935[42]
51 Albania 7 April 1937[43]
52 Lithuania 19 March 1938[44]
53 Canada 9 February 1942[45]
54 Ethiopia 1 September 1943[46]
55 Lebanon 1 August 1944[47]
56 Syria 18 September 1945
57 Iceland 14 January 1946
58 Israel 19 May 1948
59 North Korea 16 October 1948[48]
60 China 7 October 1949[49]
61 Vietnam 4 February 1950[50]
62 Mongolia 14 April 1950[51]
63 India 30 March 1954[52]
64 Indonesia 19 September 1955[53]
65 Myanmar 9 November 1955
66 Sudan 4 April 1956
67 Cambodia 24 April 1956[54]
68 Sri Lanka 18 April 1957[55]
69 Yemen 21 December 1957[56]
70 Guinea 29 June 1959[57]
71 Morocco 7 July 1959[58]
72 Tunisia 15 November 1959[59]
73   Nepal 24 November 1959[60]
74 Ghana 31 December 1959[61]
75 Cyprus 15 January 1961[62]
76 Democratic Republic of the Congo 12 February 1961
77 Mali 12 May 1961
78 Tanzania 14 January 1962[54]
79 Algeria 2 May 1962
80 Nigeria 30 May 1962[63]
81 Benin 14 June 1962
82 Senegal 18 June 1962
83 Somalia 10 July 1962[54]
84 Burundi 8 August 1962[64]
85 Laos 8 September 1962
86 Sierra Leone 9 November 1962
87 Pakistan 17 December 1962[65]
88 Togo 26 December 1962
89 Uganda 8 April 1963
90 Kuwait 17 May 1963
91 Libya 2 December 1963[66]
92 Kenya 13 December 1963[67]
93 Jordan 20 February 1964[68]
94 Rwanda 10 July 1965[69]
95 Mauritania 3 December 1965[70]
96 Zambia 30 June 1966
97 Burkina Faso 13 June 1968
98 Singapore 12 April 1969[71]
99 Central African Republic 15 January 1970[72]
100 Malaysia 21 June 1971[73]
101 Niger 30 June 1971
102 Malta 23 October 1971[74]
103 Bangladesh 12 January 1972[75]
104 Australia 20 February 1972[76]
105 Cameroon 14 March 1972[77]
106 Guyana 10 July 1972[78]
107 Germany 14 September 1972[79]
108 Thailand 14 November 1972[80]
109 Republic of the Congo 19 December 1972[81]
110 New Zealand 28 February 1973
111 Liberia 30 May 1973[82]
112 Philippines 22 September 1973[83]
113 Guinea-Bissau 3 October 1973[84]
114 Madagascar 28 November 1973
115 Ivory Coast 9 June 1974
116 Jamaica 4 November 1974
117 Gambia 21 January 1975[85]
118 Mozambique 25 June 1975[86]
119 Angola 25 November 1975
120 Cape Verde 12 February 1976[87]
121 Ireland 30 September 1976[88]
122 Gabon 16 October 1976[89]
123 Comoros 6 June 1977[90]
124 Papua New Guinea 10 February 1978[91]
125 São Tomé and Príncipe 20 November 1978[92]
126 Botswana 22 November 1978[93]
127 Lesotho 20 December 1978[94]
128 Chad 5 January 1979
129 Seychelles 14 February 1979
130 Mauritius 30 April 1979
131 Equatorial Guinea 29 May 1979[95]
132 Djibouti 24 February 1980[96]
133 Grenada 2 June 1980[97]
134 Zimbabwe 18 February 1981
135 Maldives 1 October 1984[93]
136 Vanuatu 15 November 1986[98]
— State of Palestine 11 April 1989[99]
137 United Arab Emirates 4 September 1989
138 Qatar 16 October 1989
139 South Korea 1 November 1989[100]
140 Oman 24 January 1990[101]
141 Namibia 21 March 1990[102]
142 Eswatini 10 May 1990[93]
— Sovereign Military Order of Malta 9 July 1990
143 Bahrain 22 April 1991
144 Marshall Islands 17 December 1991[93]
145 South Africa 18 December 1991[103]
146 Ukraine 4 January 1992[104]
147 Kyrgyzstan 10 February 1992
148 Tajikistan 11 February 1992[105]
149 Azerbaijan 21 February 1992[106]
150 Armenia 26 February 1992[107]
151 Belarus 2 March 1992[108]
152 Uzbekistan 19 March 1992[109]
153 Kazakhstan 6 April 1992
154 Slovenia 10 April 1992[110]
155 Croatia 11 April 1992
156 Georgia 28 April 1992[111]
157 Malawi 10 July 1992[112]
158 Moldova 14 July 1992[113]
159 Liechtenstein 5 September 1992
160 Turkmenistan 29 September 1992
161 Slovakia 1 January 1993[114]
162 Suriname 24 May 1993[115]
163 Eritrea 15 July 1993
164 North Macedonia 30 December 1993
165 San Marino 14 November 1994[116]
166 Belize 2 May 1995[93]
167 Saudi Arabia 3 May 1995[117]
168 Bosnia and Herzegovina 22 December 1995[118]
169 Brunei 20 March 1996[93]
170 Andorra 15 May 1996
171 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 16 May 1996[93]
172 Barbados 13 September 1996[93]
173 Trinidad and Tobago 13 August 1998[93]
174 Saint Lucia 24 May 2000[93]
175 Timor-Leste 18 November 2002[119]
176 Bahamas 19 November 2003[120]
177 Antigua and Barbuda 13 September 2005[121]
178 Montenegro 14 August 2006[122]
179 Monaco 27 September 2007[123]
180 Dominica 4 June 2009[93]
181 Saint Kitts and Nevis 23 June 2009[93]
182 Palau 27 January 2012[93]
183 Solomon Islands 6 March 2012[93]
184 Samoa 8 March 2012[93]
185 Bhutan 29 November 2012[93]
186 South Sudan 31 January 2013[124]
187 Fiji 11 July 2014[93]
188 Nauru 24 November 2014[125]
189 Kiribati 2 March 2015[126]
190 Federated States of Micronesia 6 March 2015[127]
191 Tuvalu 4 May 2015[128]
192 Tonga 29 August 2016[129]
— Cook Islands 20 March 2025[130]
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Bilateral relations

Multilateral

More information Organization, Formal Relations Began ...
Organization Formal Relations Began Notes
European Union See Poland in the European Union

Poland joined the European Union as a full member on 1 May 2004.

NATO

Poland joined NATO as a full member on 12 March 1999.

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Africa

More information Country, Formal Relations Began ...
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
AlgeriaSee Algeria–Poland relations
  • Algeria has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Algiers.
Angola
  • Angola has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Luanda.
Chad
  • Chad is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Moscow, Russia.
  • Poland is accredited to Chad from its embassy in Tunis, Tunisia.
EgyptSee Egypt–Poland relations
  • Egypt has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Cairo.
EthiopiaSee Ethiopia–Poland relations
Kenya13 December 1963See Kenya–Poland relations
  • Kenya is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Rome, Italy.
  • Poland has an embassy in Nairobi.
LibyaSee Libya–Poland relations
  • Libya has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland is accredited to Libya from its embassy in Cairo, Egypt.
Madagascar
  • Madagascar is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Moscow, Russia.
  • Poland is accredited to Madagascar from its embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.
MaliSee Mali–Poland relations
MoroccoSee Morocco–Poland relations
  • Morocco has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Rabat.
Mozambique25 June 1975
  • Mozambique is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
  • Poland is accredited to Mozambique from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa and maintains an honorary consulate in Maputo.
Namibia21 March 1990
  • Namibia is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
  • Poland is accredited to Namibia from its embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.
NigeriaSee Nigeria–Poland relations
  • Nigeria has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Abuja.
SenegalSee Poland–Senegal relations
  • Poland has an embassy in Dakar.
  • Senegal has an embassy in Warsaw.
South Africa1988See Poland–South Africa relations
  • Poland has an embassy in Pretoria.
  • South Africa has an embassy in Warsaw.
South Sudan31 January 2013See Poland–South Sudan relations
Tanzania1961See Poland–Tanzania relations
  • Poland has an embassy in Dar es Salaam.
  • Tanzania is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
TunisiaSee Poland–Tunisia relations
  • Poland has an embassy in Tunis.
  • Tunisia has an embassy in Warsaw.
Uganda1963See Poland–Uganda relations
  • Poland is accredited to Uganda from its embassy in Nairobi, Kenya and maintains an honorary consulate in Kampala.
  • Uganda is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
ZambiaSee Poland–Zambia relations
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Americas

More information Country, Formal Relations Began ...
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
Argentina1920 See Argentina–Poland relations
Belize2 May 1995

Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 2, 1995.[132]

Bolivia
  • Bolivia is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
  • Poland is accredited to Bolivia from its embassy in Lima, Peru.
Brazil27 May 1920See Brazil–Poland relations
Canada1935See Canada–Poland relations
Chile1920See Chile–Poland relations
  • Chile has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Santiago.
  • Both countries are full members of the OECD.
Colombia1931See Colombia–Poland relations
  • Colombia has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Bogotá.[137]
  • Both countries are full members of the OECD.
Cuba1933See Cuba–Poland relations
  • Cuba has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Havana.
Ecuador
  • Ecuador is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
  • Poland is accredited to Ecuador from its embassy in Lima, Peru.
El Salvador
  • El Salvador is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
  • Poland is accredited to El Salvador from its embassy in Panama City, Panama.
Guyana1972

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 June 1972.[138]

  • Guyana is accredited to Poland from its high commission in London, United Kingdom.
  • Poland is accredited to Guyana from its embassy in Caracas, Venezuela.
HaitiSee Haiti–Poland relations
  • Haiti is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
  • Poland is accredited to Haiti from its embassy in Panama City, Panama, and there is an honorary consulate of Poland in Port-au-Prince.
Honduras
  • Honduras is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
  • Poland is accredited to Honduras from its embassy in Panama City, Panama.
Mexico26 February 1928See Mexico–Poland relations
Panama
  • Panama has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Panama City.
Paraguay
  • Paraguay is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
  • Poland is accredited to Paraguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Peru1923See Peru–Poland relations
  • Peru has an embassy in Warsaw.[141]
  • Poland has an embassy in Lima.[142]
United StatesSee Poland–United States relations

A tighter security alliance with the United States was announced in the middle of the Georgian crisis as an agreement between the two countries was reached to allow the US to install and operate an interceptor missile defense shield, a move which Russia sees explicitly targeting it and which it stated made Poland "a legit military target".[143] A high-ranking Russian military official said: "Poland in deploying [the US system] opens itself to a nuclear strike".[144]

Uruguay22 July 1920See Poland–Uruguay relations
  • Poland is accredited to Uruguay from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Uruguay is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
Venezuela1933See Poland–Venezuela relations
  • Poland has an embassy in Caracas.
  • Venezuela has an embassy in Warsaw.
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Asia

More information Country, Formal Relations Began ...
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
AfghanistanSee Afghanistan–Poland relations
  • Afghanistan has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland is accredited to Afghanistan from its embassy in New Delhi, India.
Armenia1992-2-26[147] See Armenia–Poland relations
Azerbaijan1992-02-21[150] See Azerbaijan–Poland relations
BangladeshSee Bangladesh–Poland relations
  • Bangladesh has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland is accredited to Bangladesh from its embassy in New Delhi, India.
China1919 See China–Poland relations
  • Relations between Poland and the People's Republic of China began on 5 October 1949.
  • China has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Beijing and consulates-general in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Georgia1992-04-28See Georgia–Poland relations
IndiaSee India–Poland relations

Historically, relations have generally been close and friendly, characterized by understanding and cooperation on international front.[151]

IndonesiaSee Indonesia–Poland relations
  • Indonesia has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Jakarta.
IranSee Iran–Poland relations
  • Iran has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Tehran.
IraqSee Iraq–Poland relations
  • Iraq has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Baghdad.
Israel27 February 1990See Israel–Poland relations

Poland broke off relations with Israel after the Six-Day War of 1967, following most other countries of the Soviet Union controlled Eastern Bloc. Poland was the first Eastern bloc country to recognize Israel again in 1986. Full diplomatic relations have been reestablished in 1990, after the communist People's Republic of Poland was transformed into modern, democratic Poland. Government relations between Poland and Israel are steadily improving, resulting in the mutual visits of presidents and the ministers of foreign affairs.[154][155]

JapanSee Japan–Poland relations
  • Japan has an embassy in Warsaw, and an honorary consulate in Kraków.
  • Poland has an embassy in Tokyo, and 2 honorary consulates (in Kobe and Hiroshima).[156]
  • Both countries are full members of the OECD.
  • See also Poles in Japan
Kazakhstan6 April 1992 See Kazakhstan–Poland relations

Poland opened its embassy in Nur-Sultan in March 1994. Kazakhstan's embassy to Poland was opened in October 2000.[157]

Kuwait
  • Kuwait has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Kuwait City.
Kyrgyzstan
  • Kyrgyzstan is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
  • Poland is accredited to Kyrgyzstan from its embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan.
  • See also Poles in Kyrgyzstan
Lebanon
  • Lebanon has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Beirut.
MalaysiaSee Malaysia–Poland relations

Malaysia has an embassy in Warsaw,[158] and Poland has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur and a consulate in Kuching.[159][160]

MongoliaSee Mongolia–Poland relations
  • Mongolia has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Ulaanbaatar.
North Korea1948 October[161]See Poland–North Korea relations
  • North Korea has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Pyongyang.
Pakistan17 December 1962 See Pakistan–Poland relations
  • Pakistan has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Islamabad.
Palestine9 July 1982 (PLO),[162] 11 April 1989 (formalized)[99] See Palestine–Poland relations
  • Palestine has an embassy in Warsaw.[163]
  • Poland has a representative office in Ramallah.
PhilippinesSee Philippines–Poland relations
Qatar
  • Poland has an embassy in Doha.
  • Qatar has an embassy in Warsaw.
Saudi ArabiaSee Poland–Saudi Arabia relations
  • Poland has an embassy in Riyadh.
  • Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Warsaw.
Singapore1969[165]See Poland–Singapore relations
  • Poland has an embassy in Singapore.[165]
  • Singapore has a non-resident ambassador based in Singapore accredited to Poland and has an honorary consulate-general in Warsaw.[165]
South Korea1 November 1989[166]See Poland–South Korea relations
TaiwanSee Poland–Taiwan relations
TajikistanSee Poland–Tajikistan relations
  • Poland is accredited to Tajikistan from its embassy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
  • Tajikistan is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
Thailand
  • Poland has an embassy in Bangkok.
  • Thailand has an embassy in Warsaw.
TurkeySee Poland–Turkey relations
  • Poland has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate-general in Istanbul.
  • Turkey has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO, OECD and the Council of Europe.
  • Poland is an EU member and Turkey is an EU candidate. Poland supports Turkey's accession negotiations to the EU, although negotiations have now been suspended.
TurkmenistanSee Poland–Turkmenistan relations
  • Poland is accredited to Turkmenistan from its embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan.
  • Turkmenistan is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
United Arab EmiratesSee Poland–United Arab Emirates relations
  • Poland has an embassy in Abu Dhabi.
  • United Arab Emirates has an embassy in Warsaw.
UzbekistanSee Poland–Uzbekistan relations
VietnamSee Poland–Vietnam relations
  • Poland has an embassy in Hanoi.
  • Vietnam has an embassy in Warsaw.
Close

Europe

More information Country, Formal Relations Began ...
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
AlbaniaSee Albania–Poland relations
Andorra1996-5-15
  • Andorra is accredited to Poland from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Andorra la Vella, Andorra.
  • Poland is accredited to Andorra from its embassy in Madrid, Spain.
Austria1921 See Austria–Poland relations

Austria was one of the three partitioners of Poland, along with Prussia/Germany and Russia.

Belarus1992-03-02[171] See Belarus–Poland relations
  • Both countries share a common border of 416 kilometres (258 miles).[172]
  • Poland was one of the first countries to recognise Belarusian independence.[171]
  • Belarus has an embassy in Warsaw and a consulate-general in Gdańsk and Białystok, and a consulate in Biała Podlaska.[173]
  • Poland has an embassy in Minsk and consulates-general in Brest and Hrodna.[174]
Belgium1919-3[175]See Belgium–Poland relations
Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Sarajevo.
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina is an EU candidate and Poland is an EU member.
Bulgaria1920sSee Bulgaria–Poland relations
Croatia1992-04-11 See Croatia–Poland relations
Cyprus1960sSee Cyprus–Poland relations

[180]

Czech Republic1991-10-6[181]See Czech Republic–Poland relations
  • Both countries share a common border of 790 kilometres (490 miles).[172]
  • Czech Republic has an embassy in Warsaw and a consulate-general in Katowice.
  • Poland has an embassy in Prague and a consulate-general in Ostrava.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union, NATO and the Visegrád Group.
DenmarkSee Denmark–Poland relations
Estonia1991-09See Estonia–Poland relations
Finland1919-03-08See Finland–Poland relations
France1919-2-24[185]See France–Poland relations

Polish-French relations date several centuries, although they became really relevant only with times of French Revolution and reign of Napoleon I. Poles have been allies of Napoleon; large Polish community settled in France in the 19th century, and Poles and French were also allies during the interwar period. The official relations, having cooled down during the Cold War, have improved since the fall of communism. Currently both countries are part of the European Union and NATO.

GermanySee Germany–Poland relations

Before the creation of modern Germany in 1871, Germany was one of the three partitioners of Poland, along with Austria and Russia.

The joint Nazi-Soviet invasion of Poland of 1939 started World War II, and then until 1945, Poland was occupied by Germany and subjected to crimes against its population.

During the Cold War, communist Poland had good relations with East Germany, but had strained relations with West Germany. After the fall of communism, Poland and the reunited Germany have had a mostly positive but occasionally strained relationship due to some political issues. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Germany has been a proponent of Poland's participation in NATO and the European Union.

  • Both countries share a common border of 467 kilometres (290 miles).[172]
  • Germany has an embassy in Warsaw and consulates-general in Gdańsk, Kraków, Opole and Wrocław.
  • Poland has an embassy in Berlin and consulates-general in Cologne, Hamburg and Munich.
  • Both nations are members of the European Union, NATO and of the Council of Europe.
GreeceSee Greece–Poland relations
Holy See1919See Holy See–Poland relations
  • Holy see has an apostolic nunciature in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy to the Holy See based in Rome.
HungarySee Hungary–Poland relations

Relations between the two states date back from the Middle Ages. For a long time, they enjoy traditional close friendship.

IcelandJanuary 1946See Iceland–Poland relations
  • Iceland has an embassy in Warsaw.[188]
  • Poland has an embassy in Reykjavík.[189]
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
Ireland1976-9-30[190]See Ireland–Poland relations
Italy1919-2-27[195]See Italy–Poland relations
KosovoSee Kosovo–Poland relations
  • Poland recognised Kosovo's independence on February 26, 2008.
  • Poland has not established an embassy in Pristina, diplomatic relations are maintained through its embassy in Belgrade, Serbia
  • Kosovo maintains its diplomatic presence in Poland through its embassy in Warsaw
Latvia1991-08-30See Latvia–Poland relations
Lithuania1991-9-5[200]See Lithuania–Poland relations

Poland and Lithuania formed a close alliance and political union since 1385, which was eventually transformed into the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, one of the greatest historic powers of Central and Eastern Europe.

The fall of communism in the years of 1989-1991 led to a formal reestablishment of relations by the Polish and Lithuanian states. Poland was highly supportive of the Lithuanian independence, and became one of the first countries to recognize independent Lithuania.[201] Despite that, there was a relative crisis in the early 1990s,[202] due to Lithuanian mistreatment of Polish minority, and Lithuanian suspicious that Poland would want to put Lithuania under its sphere of influence.[201] After a few years, as the situation normalized, Polish-Lithuanian relations have been steadily improving over the past two decades, with both countries joining the NATO and European Union.

Luxembourg1921-4-18[203]See Luxembourg–Poland relations
Malta
Moldova1991-8-27[204]See Moldova–Poland relations
Monaco1990[205]
  • Monaco is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany and maintains an honorary consulate in Warsaw.
  • Poland is accredited to Monaco from its embassy in Paris, France.
Montenegro
  • Montenegro has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Podgorica.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
  • Montenegro is an EU candidate and Poland is an EU member.
NetherlandsSee Netherlands–Poland relations
North Macedonia
  • North Macedonia has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Poland has an embassy in Skopje.
  • Both countries are full members of NATO.
  • North Macedonia is an EU candidate and Poland is an EU member.
NorwaySee Norway–Poland relations
Portugal11 July 1974See Poland–Portugal relations
Romania1919-02-09See Poland–Romania relations
RussiaSee Poland–Russia relations

Russia was one of the three partitioners of Poland, along with Austria and Prussia/Germany.

The joint German-Soviet invasion of Poland of 1939 started World War II.

In recent years, relations with Russia have worsened considerably. During the Russo-Georgian War Poland stated its support for Georgia and condemned Russia's actions. The Polish believed the war was carried out by the Russians in an attempt to reestablish and reassert its dominance over its former republics. Since 2009, however, relations with Russia somewhat improved, despite the Smolensk air disaster where the former Polish president died on what is still considered a controversial event. After the annexation of Crimea by Russia the relations deteriorated again, as Poland strongly condemned Russian actions against Ukraine.

Serbia1919See Poland–Serbia relations
Slovakia1993See Poland–Slovakia relations
Slovenia1992-4-10[210]
Spain1919-5-19[211]See Poland–Spain relations
  • Poland has an embassy in Madrid and a consulate-general in Barcelona.
  • Spain has an embassy in Warsaw.
  • Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.
Sweden1919-6-3[211]See Poland–Sweden relations

Poland and Sweden formed the Polish–Swedish union in the late 16th century.

 Switzerland
Ukraine1992-1-4[212]See Poland–Ukraine relations

Both countries share a border of about 529 kilometres (329 miles).[172] Poland's acceptance of the Schengen Agreement created problems with the Ukrainian border traffic. On July 1, 2009 an agreement on local border traffic between the two country's came into effect. This agreement enables Ukrainian citizens living in border regions to cross the Polish frontier according to a liberalized procedure.[213]

United Kingdom1919-7-5[16]See Poland–United Kingdom relations
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw, January 2025.

Poland established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 15 July 1919.[16]

  • Poland maintains an embassy in London.[16]
  • The United Kingdom is accredited to Poland through its embassy in Warsaw.[214]

Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, European Court of Human Rights, the International Criminal Court, NATO, OECD, OSCE, Trilateral Security Pact, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have a Defence and Security Agreement,[215] a Double Tax Convention,[216] and a Strategic Partnership.[217]

During the Cold War Poland retained a largely negative view of Britain as a sluggish ally of Poland during World War II, later acceptance of neglecting Poland in the international arena and placing it in communist influences. In communist times the UK was a part of the NATO block, so consequently it was considered by the communists as natural enemy of the communist bloc. British efforts meanwhile were focussed at trying to break Poland off from the Warsaw Pact and encouraging reforms in the country. In the 1990s and 2000s democratic Poland has maintained close relations with Britain; both in defence matters and within the EU; Britain being one of only a few countries allowing equal rights to Polish workers upon their accession in 2004.[218]

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Oceania

More information Country, Formal Relations Began ...
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
AustraliaFebruary 1972See Australia–Poland relations
  • Australia has an embassy in Warsaw.[220]
  • Poland has an embassy in Canberra and a consulate-general in Sydney.[221]
  • Both countries are full members of the OECD.
Micronesia12 February 2019

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 February 2019.[222]

  • Poland is accredited to Micronesia from its embassy in Canberra, Australia.
  • Micronesia currently does not have an accredited ambassador to Poland.
New Zealand1 March 1973 See New Zealand–Poland relations
  • New Zealand has an embassy in Warsaw.[223]
  • Poland has an embassy in Wellington.[224]
  • Both countries are full members of the OECD.
Papua New GuineaSee Papua New Guinea–Poland relations
  • Papua New Guinea is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Brussels.
  • Poland is accredited to Papua New Guinea from its embassy in Canberra, and there is an honorary consulate of Poland in Madang.[225]
Solomon Islands6 March 2012

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 March 2012.[226]

  • Poland is accredited to the Solomon Islands from its embassy in Canberra, Australia.
  • Solomon Islands are accredited to Poland from its embassy Brussels, Belgium.
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Regional blocs

More information Bloc, Countries ...
Bloc Countries
Lublin Triangle Ukraine • Poland • Lithuania
British–Polish–Ukrainian trilateral pact Ukraine • Poland • United Kingdom
Weimar Triangle France • Germany • Poland
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