President's new foreign policy aide outlines agenda

Marcin Przydacz, the newly-appointed chief foreign policy aide to Polish President Andrzej Duda, has said the president's priorities will include security policy, support for Ukraine and relations with the United States.

Przydacz, a former deputy foreign minister, was appointed on Thursday and replaced Jakub Kumoch.

The Foreign Policy Bureau lead by Przydacz will treat security as a key priority, he told PAP.

"The security of Poland, Poles and the whole eastern flank (of Nato - PAP) is absolutely crucial in the president's view and the threats are well-known: It is Russia's policy, lack of stability in the region and also potential further negative consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine," Przydacz said.

He went on to say that Poland will continue to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia "because this fight is also the battle for the stability of the region."

Further strengthening of Polish-US relations is yet another point on the foreign policy bureau's agenda. "The United States has confirmed through their actions over the recent months that a safe Europe is a Europe that cooperates with the United States," Przydacz said.

Poland's image as an important international policy player is also on Przydacz's agenda.

"This will be our next priority, the image of Poland as a stabiliser and provider of regional security, will be important for us," Przydacz said.