Russian head of diplomacy Sergey Lavrov and his Polish counterpart, Radosław Sikorski, hold talks in Moscow to patch up bilateral ties.

Following the meeting of Polish and Russian foreign ministers, Sergey Lavrov has said Moscow is content with the foreign policy of Poland’s ruling government towards Russia. He has stressed that despite differences stemming from, what he called, subjective reasons, the Polish cabinet strives to mend ties with Russia and eliminate disputes from the past. 

Mr. Lavrov, has expressed hope that both governments would pursue a policy of pragmatic collaboration based on national interests.

“Once I leave Moscow, I will communicate to my superior that I believe the Polish-Russian relations are on the right track,” said Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski. The Polish official has stated he was glad the Polish-Russian Strategy Committee, which had last convened in 2004, is resuming operation. He appreciated the fact that several matters discussed by the two countries are headed for a positive outcome. Poland is actively involved in raising awareness of the EU about matters pertaining to its eastern neighbours, said Mr. Sikorski, adding that it is important for Poland that the eastern countries become more friendly, safer and more prosperous.

Russian political expert, Alexey Makarkin underlines that some contentious issues, such as the deployment of the US antimissile shield in Poland, remain unsolved, yet the positive aspect is that these differences are no longer strongly emphasised. Mr. Makarkin believes it is hard to say whether a breakthrough in the bilateral relations between the two states is to be expected during Vladimir Putin’s September visit. “The most significant issue is that the Russian Prime Minister is paying the visit at all. As even last year or two years ago such a move was inconceivable,” said Mr. Makarkin.

Topics on the agenda of the talks included the preparations ahead of the planned visit of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Gdansk, to attend the observances commemorating the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II in Gdansk on 1 September. Following the observance, Vladimir Putin is to take part in the first intergovernmental consultations between Russia and Poland since 1989.

The talks between the two heads of diplomacy are followed by a session of the Polish-Russian Strategy Committee, which is to discuss matters including economy, culture, youth exchange, scientific contacts and environmental protection.

The meetings take place on the eve of the scheduled EU summit in Prague, which is to launch the Eastern Partnership project, aimed at facilitating collaboration between the EU and its post-Soviet neighbours, including Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova – a project which Moscow has so far disapproved of.