Poland’s Policy Regarding the Georgian Conflict
Poland’s Policy Regarding the Georgian Conflict

Summary/Abstract: Georgia’s role in Polish foreign policy increased following the victorious Rose Revolution of 2003, and, coming into office of President Mikheil Saakashvili. Support for democratic transformations in the post-Soviet area and reduction of Russian influence there has been a tenet of Poland’s Eastern policy, accepted by all major political forces.1 In the Georgian case, that translated into establishment of close political contacts, voicing opposition against aggressive moves by Russia (such as its engagement in Abkhazia and South Ossetia or Russian trade restrictions imposed on Georgia) and active support for calls to admit Georgia, as soon as possible, into NATO and bring the country closer to the European Union.2 Importantly, joint work also was carried out on projects involving the transit of Caspian Sea energy resources bypassing Russia. Georgia, along with Ukraine, was to be part of an oil-and-gas transport corridor from the region to the European Union area. Afactor of considerable importance for the development of mutual relations were good personal contacts established between Presidents Lech Kaczyñski and Mikheil Saakashvili; and there was also a positive perception of Georgia and the Georgians among Polish society. Georgia became an important destination for activity by Polish non-governmental organizations, and the recipient of a large portion of the Polish government’s development aid programme: PLN 3.8 million in 2007 (ranking in third place, after Belarus and Ukraine) and PLN 4.5 million in 2008 (in fourth place, after Afghanistan, Belarus and Ukraine).3

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