Warsaw, 11 November 2022 (TDI): Poland celebrates its Independence Day on 11 November 2022, to commemorate the occasion of Poland’s return to sovereignty from the Germans as the Second Polish Republic in 1918.
The Embassy of Poland in Pakistan is celebrating Independence Day with full enthusiasm and has arranged a number of events in this regard.
The Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Pakistan Riina Koinka also wished Poland a “Happy Independence Day,” highlighting the long history between the EU and Poland.
About Poland
Poland is a central European nation. It is situated at a geographic intersection connecting the fertile plains of the Eurasian frontier with the Atlantic Ocean’s shipping channels and the forested regions of northwest Europe.
Poland, which is now bordered by seven countries, has been impacted over the years as a result of the forces of local history.
Poland is a parliamentary republic with a President as the head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government. The Council of Ministers is at the heart of the political system.
The 16 provinces that make up the country are mostly based on its historical areas. A government-appointed governor, an elected regional legislature, and an executive are chosen by the regional assembly to share administrative control at the provincial level.
In 2020, the wholesale & retail trade, transportation, lodging, & food services (24.9%), industry (24.2%), & public administration, defense, education, human health, & social work activities (15.3%) were Poland’s most significant economic sectors.
74% of Poland’s exports go to other EU countries (Germany 29%, Czechia 6%, and France 5%), while 6% go to the United Kingdom (UK) and 3% each come from Russia and the US.
67% of imports are made by EU members (Germany 27%, the Netherlands 6%, and Italy 5%), while the remaining 10% are made by China and 4% by Russia outside the EU.
Pakistan-Poland Relations
Pakistan-Poland relations go back to the 1940s. Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan’s first Prime Minister, initiated the country’s foremost diplomatic contact with the People’s Republic of Poland on August 14, 1947.
On December 17, 1962, Pakistan became one of the first Muslim nations to establish diplomatic ties with Poland’s then-communist government.
Poland established an Embassy in Karachi in 1962, however, it was relocated to the capital city of Islamabad in 1965.
In 1969, the Pakistani government established an Embassy in Warsaw. Poland currently maintains an honorary Consulate-General in Lahore and a cultural Consulate-General in Karachi.
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Polish and Pakistani economic cooperation is increasing. Commercial turnover between the two passed the €500 million mark in 2018 and is now steadily growing.
Particularly noteworthy are the energy and resource exploration sectors, where Polish firms affiliated with the Polish Oil & Gas Company (PGNiG) group have operated in Pakistan for more than 20 years.
Additionally, Poland has been a strong advocate for Pakistan’s inclusion in the GSP+ program, a unique incentive scheme for sustainable development and good governance that eliminates tariffs on more than 66% of EU tariff lines.
As export growth to Europe has been especially rapid following the award of GSP+, rising by 50% to €6.7 billion in 2013–19, Pakistan currently profits from this inclusion.
