Poland celebrates its National Day today to commemorate the adoption of its constitution on the same day in 1791. This year, the Poles mark the 230th anniversary of the adoption of the constitution.
On the occasion, Gulf Times spoke to Janusz Janke, ambassador of Poland to Qatar, on the significance of the day for the Polish people and on bilateral ties between the two countries.
Elaborating the importance of the day for the Poles, ambassador Jenke said: “The anniversary of the adoption of the constitution by the Polish parliament (Sejm) in 1791 is a holiday as important to Poland as the December 18 celebrations are for Qatar.
"The constitution was the second in the world ever endorsed – after the constitution of the US in 1787 – and the first modern constitutional act in Europe. The aim of the document was to address internal challenges and external threats by streamlining the system of power in Poland, creating a modern bureaucracy, an effective army and carrying out economic and social reforms.
"Although the modernisation push came too late and Poland lost its independence for 123 years, the constitution of the 3rd of May has become a symbol of the Polish national identity – during the partitions of Poland under the German and Soviet occupation in World War II as well as later during the communist rule until 1989.
"In 1990 the newly established democratic government re-proclaimed May 3 as a national holiday.”
On Qatar-Poland relations, the envoy said Poland enjoys a strong political and economic relationship with Qatar.
“In 2019, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between our countries with the visit to Qatar by Jacek Czaputowicz, minister of foreign affairs of Poland. Each year we hold political consultations on bilateral issues and international developments.
“Qatar is one of Poland’s closest and most trusted partners in the Middle East. The long-term strategic partnership between Poland’s national gas company, PGNiG, and Qatar Petroleum has made the energy industry the leading area of co-operation.
"According to the agreement between the companies, which will expire in 2034, Poland imports up to about 2.1 tonnes of Qatari LNG annually.
"According to the data by the Planning and Statistics Authority in 2020 the trade volume between the two countries stood at about $1bn in 2018 and 2019, with Polish exports amounting to about $200 million.
"To facilitate the growth of trade and investment between both nations, the Qatar-Poland Business Council (QPBC) was officially launched on November 9, 2020. Its aim is not only to support Polish businesses but also assist Qatari entrepreneurs in doing business with Poland.”
Speaking on other areas of co-operation, the Polish envoy said that in co-operation with QPBC and Qatar Financial Center, the embassy had co-organised the Qatar-Poland New Tech Forum on April 19, 2021. “The purpose of the event was to promote the Polish digital economy, present the offer of the Polish IT technology sector and to provide selected technology companies with a chance for direct meetings (B2B) with leading technology companies on the Qatar market: Microsoft Qatar and Ooredoo. Over 60 Polish and Qatari businesses participated in the forum.”
The ambassador added: “We have managed to implement numerous projects in the area of academic exchange, science and development and culture, co-operating with entities such as Qatar Foundation, Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and Cultural Village Foundation – Katara.”
Civil aviation is yet another area of co-operation. “We have supported the development of ties between Qatar Civil Aviation Agency and the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency to allow them to exchange know-how, experiences to better face contemporary challenges in the sector,” the envoy said.
The embassy has also focused its attention, in co-operation with Qatar Financial Center and QPBC, to promote Polish digital technology businesses in Qatar in sectors such as smart cities, medtech, fintech, drones, greentech, cybersec or agritech. “We see this approach bearing fruit already. At the end of May, we will team up with the Qatari Businessmen Association to organise the Polish-Qatari business roundtable for various sectors. We will also be working hard to support the conclusion of several bilateral agreements which should facilitate our co-operation in areas such as higher education and research,” he said.
Asked in what ways the Covid-19 pandemic had impacted the relationship between the two countries, the ambassador said: “The pandemic has been a grave challenge for both countries. But now, I am optimistic that thanks to the efficient vaccination programmes implemented in both Poland and Qatar in 2021 the situation shall stabilise and economic activity, the teaching processes and life overall will return to some form of normality. It is of utmost importance, however, that we identify, preferably together, the post-crisis lessons-learned and introduce changes that will prepare us better for an event of such magnitude in the future.”
On the occasion, Gulf Times spoke to Janusz Janke, ambassador of Poland to Qatar, on the significance of the day for the Polish people and on bilateral ties between the two countries.
Elaborating the importance of the day for the Poles, ambassador Jenke said: “The anniversary of the adoption of the constitution by the Polish parliament (Sejm) in 1791 is a holiday as important to Poland as the December 18 celebrations are for Qatar.
"The constitution was the second in the world ever endorsed – after the constitution of the US in 1787 – and the first modern constitutional act in Europe. The aim of the document was to address internal challenges and external threats by streamlining the system of power in Poland, creating a modern bureaucracy, an effective army and carrying out economic and social reforms.
"Although the modernisation push came too late and Poland lost its independence for 123 years, the constitution of the 3rd of May has become a symbol of the Polish national identity – during the partitions of Poland under the German and Soviet occupation in World War II as well as later during the communist rule until 1989.
"In 1990 the newly established democratic government re-proclaimed May 3 as a national holiday.”
On Qatar-Poland relations, the envoy said Poland enjoys a strong political and economic relationship with Qatar.
“In 2019, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between our countries with the visit to Qatar by Jacek Czaputowicz, minister of foreign affairs of Poland. Each year we hold political consultations on bilateral issues and international developments.
“Qatar is one of Poland’s closest and most trusted partners in the Middle East. The long-term strategic partnership between Poland’s national gas company, PGNiG, and Qatar Petroleum has made the energy industry the leading area of co-operation.
"According to the agreement between the companies, which will expire in 2034, Poland imports up to about 2.1 tonnes of Qatari LNG annually.
"According to the data by the Planning and Statistics Authority in 2020 the trade volume between the two countries stood at about $1bn in 2018 and 2019, with Polish exports amounting to about $200 million.
"To facilitate the growth of trade and investment between both nations, the Qatar-Poland Business Council (QPBC) was officially launched on November 9, 2020. Its aim is not only to support Polish businesses but also assist Qatari entrepreneurs in doing business with Poland.”
Speaking on other areas of co-operation, the Polish envoy said that in co-operation with QPBC and Qatar Financial Center, the embassy had co-organised the Qatar-Poland New Tech Forum on April 19, 2021. “The purpose of the event was to promote the Polish digital economy, present the offer of the Polish IT technology sector and to provide selected technology companies with a chance for direct meetings (B2B) with leading technology companies on the Qatar market: Microsoft Qatar and Ooredoo. Over 60 Polish and Qatari businesses participated in the forum.”
The ambassador added: “We have managed to implement numerous projects in the area of academic exchange, science and development and culture, co-operating with entities such as Qatar Foundation, Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and Cultural Village Foundation – Katara.”
Civil aviation is yet another area of co-operation. “We have supported the development of ties between Qatar Civil Aviation Agency and the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency to allow them to exchange know-how, experiences to better face contemporary challenges in the sector,” the envoy said.
The embassy has also focused its attention, in co-operation with Qatar Financial Center and QPBC, to promote Polish digital technology businesses in Qatar in sectors such as smart cities, medtech, fintech, drones, greentech, cybersec or agritech. “We see this approach bearing fruit already. At the end of May, we will team up with the Qatari Businessmen Association to organise the Polish-Qatari business roundtable for various sectors. We will also be working hard to support the conclusion of several bilateral agreements which should facilitate our co-operation in areas such as higher education and research,” he said.
Asked in what ways the Covid-19 pandemic had impacted the relationship between the two countries, the ambassador said: “The pandemic has been a grave challenge for both countries. But now, I am optimistic that thanks to the efficient vaccination programmes implemented in both Poland and Qatar in 2021 the situation shall stabilise and economic activity, the teaching processes and life overall will return to some form of normality. It is of utmost importance, however, that we identify, preferably together, the post-crisis lessons-learned and introduce changes that will prepare us better for an event of such magnitude in the future.”
