DPM/FM Radosław Sikorski delivers Distinguished Lecture at ISSI on “Poland’s Success Story: A Message for the Rising Countries”
Report : Tazeen Akhtar | Pictures : Asif Farooq
ISLAMABAD: October 23, 2025 – H.E. Mr. Radoslaw Sikorski, Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister of Poland has diluted the impression about so called Rare Earth Minerals/Items , terming it just a raw material that can be found anywhere ! Here it is worth mentioning that Pakistan in couple of recent months have glorified its rare minerals in the world , especially in US at Oval Office to President Trump.
The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) hosted a Distinguished Lecture by His Excellency Radosław Sikorski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, on the theme “Poland’s Success Story: A Message for the Rising Countries.”
The event was organized by the Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP) at ISSI, in collaboration with the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM). The Lecture brought together diplomats, policymakers, academics, and representatives from think-tanks, civil society, and the media to discuss Poland’s remarkable journey of transformation and its relevance for developing and rising countries.
The visiting dignitory, Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski said , our companies are working in copper silver mining sector. About rare earth minerals, technology is needed to turn the raw into the rare. China’s control on export of rare minerals has been seen by Poland as well, as a players of this sector. Poland is ready to extend cooperation to Pakistan in this regard.
Poland as the neighbor of Ukraine is directly affected by the war. The visiting dignitary touched on this topic and said Poland and Pakistan helped each other for evacuation of their citizens from Ukraine and Afghanistan.
On Russia, he said both Afghanistan and Ukraine have a history of Russian invasions. ” And at both fronts , the victims of the invasions refused to accept the invaders’ supremacy, DPM Poland said.
Mr. Sikorski said, the Russian attack on Ukraine is a colonial action of not letting a sovereign country to take decisions on which direction the country will be taken.”
Mr. Putin says, we have to see the root cause of the conflict. Root cause is actually the fall of imperialism in Russia, DPM said.
He said it is not only about the security interests of Russia. Security interests of all are important.The guest emphasized on the strengthening of the European Union to have a say in the world.
He said, the US, Russia, and China have control on the decision making in the world. The European Union has a weight but its voice is not heard.
Mr. Sikorski referring to the drone attack of Russia on Poland said, Russia is not hitting the neighbors only. Its targeting expands to other parts of the world as well like in Africa. He did not provide examples of Russian targeting in Africa.
He expressed satisfaction on the milestone achieved in bilateral trade at $1 Billion and expressed optimism to reach more targets in the near future.
Notably, the balance of this trade is in Pakistan’s favor. The honorable guest, referred to Polish support for GSP of Pakistan at European Union. The status paved the way for additional exports to EU markets of worth nearly $1 Billion.
He expressed hope that soon a street will be named after Squadron Leader Władysław Józef Marian Turowicz, prominent Polish officer who became a Pakistani national hero for his significant contributions to building the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and its space program. He arrived with other Polish pilots and technicians in the early 1950s on a three-year contract but chose to stay and serve, eventually rising to the rank of Air Commodore and leading SUPARCO, Pakistan’s space and upper atmosphere research commission.
Earlier in the day, ISSI concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PISM, a leading Central European think-tank based in Poland. The signing was held at the Foreign Office where Director General ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood and Director PISM Dr. Jarosław Ćwiek-Karpowicz signed the document in the presence of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar and his Polish counterpart Radosław Sikorski.
DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, in his remarks prior to the Distinguished Lecture, extended a warm welcome to Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski and commended Poland’s remarkable transformation since the end of the Cold War.
He described Poland as one of Europe’s most successful transformation stories — a country that has combined economic discipline, institutional reform, and strategic foresight to emerge as a strong and resilient state. On the theme of the Lecture, he noted that Poland’s trajectory from transition to consolidation offers valuable lessons for developing and rising countries such as Pakistan.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood observed that Poland’s success was neither accidental nor coincidental, but the result of resolute resolve rooted in strong national purpose, human capital development, and a pragmatic approach to statecraft that harmonizes tradition with innovation.
He said that within a highly complex global environment, Pakistan has worked with dexterity to acquire new strategic salience leveraging its pivotal geography, military capability, and nimble diplomacy. He highlighted that Pakistan’s foreign policy today is increasingly diversified and marked by growing pivot towards geo-economics.
From further fortifying the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership with China to deepening the long-standing partnership with the United States, and from reinforcing constructive engagement with major powers such as Russia, Japan, the European Union, and Africa, to strengthening alliances and partnerships in the Middle East – Pakistan is on an entirely different regional and global trajectory.
Pakistan is making valuable contributions both as a Middle Power and an influential voice of the “Global South.’
Recalling long-standing Pakistan-Poland friendly ties, and the role of Polish pilots in building the Pakistan Air Force in its formative phase, he underlined that Pakistan views Poland as an important partner — both in dialogue on similar experience and in expanding cooperation in trade, technology, energy, innovation, higher education, and people-to-people exchanges.
Director PISM Dr. Jarosław Ćwiek-Karpowicz, speaking on the occasion, expressed his deep appreciation for the partnership between PISM and ISSI, describing it as the beginning of a new and promising chapter in Polish-Pakistani academic cooperation. He noted that the signing of the MoU between the two institutions reflects a shared commitment to advancing research collaboration, fostering dialogue, and contributing to the formulation of effective and forward-looking policies.
Dr. Ćwiek-Karpowicz highlighted that both Poland and Pakistan, as responsible members of the international community — Poland as a NATO member and Pakistan as a major non-NATO ally — play constructive roles in promoting global peace and maintaining a rules-based international order.
Emphasizing the two countries’ shared principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, opposition to the use of force, and rejection of terrorism, he pointed to their joint membership in the UN Economic and Social Council until 2026 as an avenue for enhanced cooperation in areas such as agriculture, education, energy, and sustainable development, noting Poland’s particular interest in supporting Pakistan’s energy security.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, in his wide-ranging Address, delivered a compelling reflection on Poland’s historic transformation and its broader implications for developing nations.
Recounting his personal experiences from his early visits to Pakistan four decades ago, he spoke warmly of the long-standing friendship between the two countries and Pakistan’s pivotal role during the Afghan resistance against Soviet occupation. He acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices during that period, stating that Poland remembers the price Pakistan paid.
Outlining Poland’s journey from a post-communist economy to one of Europe’s most dynamic states, DPM Sikorski attributed his country’s success to difficult but decisive reforms, institutional modernization, and a stable international environment. He shared that since 1989, Poland’s GDP per capita has increased more than threefold, and the country’s economic transformation has been both geographically and socially balanced. He added that Poland’s experience can serve as inspiration for medium-sized states striving to achieve sustainable growth and global relevance.
DPM/FM Sikorski also reflected on the broader geopolitical context, noting that the world stands at a crossroads amid increasing polarization and challenges to international law.
He called for renewed commitment to a ‘rules-based international order’ grounded in sovereignty, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation. Touching upon Poland’s stance on global crises, he reaffirmed Poland’s support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the two-state solution, as well as its continued support and assistance to Ukraine ‘in the face of Russian aggression.’
On bilateral relations, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the growing economic and trade partnership between Poland and Pakistan, which recently surpassed USD 1 billion in annual volume. He highlighted the presence of the Polish oil and gas company ORLEN in Pakistan for nearly three decades as a symbol of enduring cooperation and pointed to new opportunities in energy, mining, water management, food processing, and Fintech.
He reaffirmed that Poland stands ready to share its developmental experience and technological expertise with Pakistan, particularly in renewable energy and sustainable industry.
The Lecture was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session and the presentation of souvenir by Chairman BoG, ISSI, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood to the visiting dignitary.
