The forum was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and his Canadian counterpart David McGuinty. The Polish head of the Ministry of Defense, who is on a visit to Ottawa, is accompanied by, among others, the government's plenipotentiary for the SAFE program, Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, and the deputy minister of state assets, Konrad Gołota. The Polish delegation will also take part in the largest Canadian defense fair, CANSEC.
During his speech, the head of the Polish Ministry of National Defense talked about the changing geopolitical situation, which forces a new approach to defense. He emphasized that the key factors influencing the current balance of power are tensions in the Middle East and the policy pursued by Russia.
— There is no doubt that the security situation is changing dynamically, presenting us with new challenges. Instability in the Middle East, and in particular Russia's aggressive policy, shape the current state of international security, says Kosiniak-Kamysz. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that This is why lasting alliances like the one between Warsaw and Ottawa are so important.
- One of Russia's biggest lies exposed. There is the latest report
Kosiniak-Kamysz added that both countries need solutions that respond to dynamic challenges for regional and global security. He also recalled that Poland and Canada are rapidly increasing their defense spending, which opens new opportunities for arms companies on both sides of the Atlantic.
Gołota on strategic partnership
Konrad Gołota spoke on the sidelines of the forum and emphasized that the purpose of the talks was not ordinary trade transactions, but building deeper technological cooperation. He noted that Canada is reevaluating its alliances, and Poland is becoming an important point of reference for it in Europe.
— We are talking about cooperation between our industries; we don't want to treat ourselves as two customers who want to sell something to each other. Canada is reorienting its policies and its partnerships. We are a key partner for them when it comes to Europe. We have technologies in which we can be very interested in each other — the Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of State Assets told journalists.
The deputy minister also noted the importance of Canada's cooperation with the European Union under the SAFE program. He announced that the government would soon announce a large joint project, including: communications area, and the parties may sign the agreement as early as July.
Bombardier and Borsuk among the areas of cooperation
Gołota mentioned specific directions in which both countries can exchange technological solutions. Poland shows interest in cooperation with the Canadian aviation sector, including Bombardier.
On the other hand Polish companies offer Canadian partners passive location systems and land platforms, including Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles. Sobkowiak-Czarnecka reminded that Canada remains the only non-European Union country allowed to participate in the SAFE program, which supports arms purchases in the European, including Polish, defense industry.
Cooperation between the two countries gained momentum after the meeting of Prime Ministers Mark Carney and Donald Tusk in Warsaw last year. Then both governments signed a bilateral cooperation plan in the field of defense and established a working group on the arms industry. The first meeting of the Canadian-Polish steering committee took place in April this year. in Ottawa, where new fields of cooperation were identified in trade, investments, energy and defense.
In March this year The Canada-Poland Defense Industry Day took place in Warsaw, attended by over 150 representatives of government administration, the arms sector and the media. The organizers then presented projects implemented with Polish participation and presented a letter of intent regarding support in the amount of USD 1 billion. American from Export Development Canada – an agency promoting Canadian exports.
