Polish FM: Poland might support anti-IS coalition
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
02.12.2015 14:48
Foreign minister Witold Waszczykowski has confirmed that talks are under way about possible Polish support for the international coalition against the Islamic State.
Foreign Minister of Poland Witold Waszczykowski (L) and US Secretary of State John Kerry talk at the start of a NATO Foreign Affairs Ministers Council at Alliance headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, 01 December 2015. Photo: EPA/Olivier Hoslet
Waszczykowski spoke to US secretary of state John Kerry during the ongoing meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels and he acknowledged that Kerry had appealed for support in anti-IS actions.
The foreign minister said that “the Polish Ministry of Defence is conducting talks on possible Polish support for the cause,” but stressed that “none of the coalition countries expects Poland or any other Eastern European country to commit significant military forces, although we will surely exchange intelligence data.”
Waszczykowski said that it is clear that Poland cannot afford to help with a direct engagement of its armed forces, due to the situation in Ukraine.
“Our attention right now must be turned towards the Ukrainian conflict,” the minister said.
However, Waszczykowski assured that Poland supports all political means to resolve the crisis, noting that Warsaw needs to know more details and consider its options carefully, before taking any action. (tf/nh)