Hanane Djoua
Doha
As Poland celebrates its National Independence Day on November 11, commemorating the restoration of its sovereignty in 1918 after 123 years of non-existence on the map of Europe, Polish Head of Mission to Qatar Tomasz Sadzinski reflects on this historic occasion and on Poland’s dynamic relationship with Qatar.
He also extends his warm wishes to Poles residing in Qatar and acknowledges their role in reinforcing bilateral relations.
Resilience and Sovereignty
Sadzinski said the Independence Day is a joyful celebration of Poland’s regained freedom, serving as a reminder that independence must be earned, valued, and protected. This lesson resonates globally, highlighting the importance of building resilience and preserving heritage, culture, and language.
35 Years of Diplomatic TIES
Year 2024 marks 35 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Poland and Qatar, and the relationship has flourished across multiple areas. In July 2024, during an official visit by Qatar’s Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Poland, both leaders emphasised their commitment to deepening ties.
Sadzinski praised the relationship as “vibrant” and highlighted the doubling of bilateral trade between 2020 and 2023 to reach $1.4 billion, adding that Qatar is Poland’s third-largest trading partner in the GCC, with this cooperation focusing on sectors such as energy, business, and technology.
ENERGY Partnership
One of the core elements of this partnership is the energy sector. Since 2015, Poland has been importing LNG from Qatar, a relationship that has been instrumental in helping Poland reduce its energy dependence on Russian supplies. With annual deliveries exceeding two million tonnes of liquefied gas, Sadzinski commended QatarEnergy’s reliability and noted the importance of this partnership for Poland’s energy security.
Looking ahead, Sadzinski envisions expanded collaboration on renewable energy projects, such as wind, solar, and energy storage. Poland is also exploring Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for future energy needs, a field that Qatar Investment Authority has invested in since 2021.
Untapped Economic Potential
Despite robust trade ties, Sadzinski believes there is still untapped potential in bilateral business. Poland is the sixth-largest economy in the EU, with exports reaching around $471 billion in 2023, but only a fraction of this trade involves Qatar.
He pointed to the recent Qatar-Poland New Tech Forum, held in Warsaw during HH the Amir’s visit, as an example of initiatives aimed at spurring further cooperation, particularly in technology, financial innovation, and smart city solutions.
Sadzinski expressed gratitude to Qatari officials and business leaders for their active participation in the event, which was co-organised by the embassy.
Partnership for Peace
Beyond economic cooperation, Sadzinski highlighted Qatar’s role as a mediator, commending the recent Doha-hosted discussions that contributed to ceasefire efforts in Gaza. Poland has historically supported Palestinian statehood, having recognised it in 1988, and has provided development aid to Palestine. Poland remains committed to a two-state solution and backs UN resolutions that promote peace in the region.
Poland has also contributed to Lebanon’s stability through participation in the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission, where it currently deploys 250 soldiers. In October, Poland spearheaded a statement condemning attacks on peacekeepers, an initiative supported by 44 countries, including Qatar, the envoy said.
People-to-People Exchange
Since 2012, direct flights between Doha and Warsaw have facilitated trade and cultural exchange, with two daily flights currently operated by Qatar Airways. The airline’s European Customer Services Center, based in Wroclaw, further cements this connection.
Noting the rising number of tourists from the GCC in Poland, Sadzinski expressed hope for additional routes, anticipating further tourism promotion at the Qatar Travel Mart 2024 in November.
Poland as European Tech Hub
According to Sadzinski, Poland has established itself as a leading European tech hub, with expenditures on research and development (R&D) activities in 2022 alone exceeding $11 billion, funded by government sources, private sector contributions, foreign direct investments, and the European Union. Companies such as Google, Intel, and Pfizer have chosen Poland for its competitive labour costs, highly skilled engineering workforce, and proximity to other European markets.
Educational Collaborations
Poland also looks forward to closer ties in education, especially with Qatar University and Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Sadzinski believes these partnerships could enhance research and academic exchanges, especially in fields that align with both countries’ economic and technological goals.
A Message of Unity
On this day of national celebration, Sadzinski expressed pride in the strength of Polish-Qatari relations and optimism for the future of their partnership. He praised the contributions of the Polish community in Qatar, recognising their role in promoting positive relations and mutual respect. With shared goals in energy, technology, and education, the Poland-Qatar relationship stands as a model for cooperation in today’s interconnected world.
