Ireland–Poland relations

Both nations are members of the Council of Europe, European Union, OECD and OSCE.

==History==

File:Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris in Rzeszów - 2024 - 01.jpg with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Rzeszów, 5 September 2024]]

One of the first known contacts between Ireland and Poland took place in the late 17th century when Irishman Bernard Connor was appointed physician at the court of Polish King John III Sobieski. In 1694, Connor wrote a book titled History of Poland in the English language.[http://www.president.ie/en/media-library/speeches/address-by-the-president-at-the-state-dinner-in-honour-of-h.e.-president-kw Address by the President at the State Dinner in Honor of H.E. President Kwasniewski] In 1922, Ireland obtained its independence from the United Kingdom. Poland was among the first group of states to establish diplomatic relations with the independent Irish State, sending a Consul-General in 1929.

Official diplomatic relations between Ireland and Poland were established in 1976. During the Cold War, relations between both nations were limited. Ireland supported the Polish Solidarity movement. In 1981, the Irish Polish Society sent 20 containers of medicines, powdered milk, baby food and clothes to Poland, valued at more than £250,000.[http://irishpolishsociety.ie/history/irish-solidarity-with-poland-2/ Irish Solidarity with Poland] After the fall of communism in Poland, relations between both nations strengthened. In 1990, Ireland opened its embassy in Warsaw and in 1991, Poland opened its embassy in Dublin.[https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/poland/about-us/the-embassys-history/ The Embassy of Ireland's History][http://www.dublin.msz.gov.pl/en/bilateral_cooperation/political_cooperation/ Political cooperation] In 1997, Polish President Aleksander Kwaśniewski paid an official visit to Ireland. In 2003 Irish President Mary McAleese paid a visit to Poland.[http://www.president.ie/en/media-library/speeches/remarks-by-the-president-of-ireland-mary-mcaleese-at-the-reception-for-the Remarks by the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, at the Reception for the Irish Community]

In 2004, Poland joined the European Union and Ireland immediately opened its borders and labor market to Polish workers.[https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/here-to-stay-ireland-s-migrants-prove-accession-proof-1.1774190 Here to stay? Ireland's migrants prove accession proof]

Although Ireland is not a member of NATO, Irish forces have fought alongside Polish forces in the War in Afghanistan and in peacekeeping missions in Kosovo and with EUFOR (Chad).

High-level visits

File:Wizyta premiera Irlandii (31987699803).jpg visiting with Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło in Warsaw, 2017.]]

Presidential and Prime Ministerial (Taoiseach) visits from Ireland to Poland[https://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/News/Archives/2008/Taoiseach%27s_Press_Releases_2008/Taoiseach_meets_Polish_Prime_Minister_Tusk.html Taoiseach meets Polish Prime Minister Tusk][https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/poland/news-and-events/2017/taoiseach-enda-kenny-visits-poland/ Taoiseach Enda Kenny visits Poland][https://www.irishcentral.com/news/president-higgins-flies-budget-airline-ryanair-to-the-euros-as-trouble-erupts-in-poznan-158347795-237509541 President Higgins flies budget airline Ryanair to the Euros as trouble erupts in Poznan]

President Mary McAleese (2003)
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern (2005, 2008)
President Michael D. Higgins (2012)
Taoiseach Enda Kenny (2017)

Prime Ministerial and Presidential visits from Poland to Ireland[http://www.president.pl/en/archive/news-archive/news-2007/art,20,the-president-of-poland-came-to-ireland.html The President of Poland came to Ireland]

President Aleksander Kwaśniewski (1997)
President Lech Kaczyński (2007)

Agreements

Throughout the years, both nations have signed several bilateral agreements such as an Agreement on the development of economic, industrial, scientific and technological cooperation (1977); Agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income (1995) and an Accession Treaty (2003).[http://www.msz.gov.pl/en/c/MOBILE/foreign_policy/europe/bilateral_relations_europe/ireland Bilateral relations]

Transport

There are direct flights between Ireland and Poland with Ryanair. There are over 60 flights per week between both nations.

Diaspora

Ireland is home to a Polish community totaling approximately 100,000 people.{{cn|date=September 2024}} The Polish language is the most spoken foreign language in Ireland.[https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/poland/our-role/irish-relations/ Ireland-Poland Relations]

Trade

In 2018, trade between Ireland and Poland totaled US$2.7 billion.[https://oec.world/en/profile/country/pol/ OEC: Poland][https://irishtechnews.ie/taoiseach-highlights-importance-of-irish-innovation-during-official-visit-to-poland/ Taoiseach highlights importance of Irish innovation during official visit to Poland] Irish exports to Poland include: prepared food, dairy products, beef and drinks (mainly alcohol such as Irish whiskey).[https://www.bordbia.ie/corporate/press/Pages/TaoiseachVisitsWarsawOffice.aspx Bord Bia's new Warsaw office gateway to 11 Central European Markets] Polish exports to Ireland include: ale of grain, poultry meat and beef, cakes, meat products, furs, computers, furniture, vans, juices, dairy products, confectionery and glassware.{{Cite web |url=http://bbats.pl/en/trade-between-polish-and-ireland/ |title=Trade between Poland and Ireland |access-date=2017-12-29 |archive-date=2017-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229112948/http://bbats.pl/en/trade-between-polish-and-ireland/ |url-status=dead }} More than fifty Irish companies have factories or development facilities in Poland in sectors such as ICT, print and packaging, construction and client services. Poland is Ireland's 12th-largest exports market.

Resident diplomatic missions

Ireland has an embassy in Warsaw.[https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/poland/ Embassy of Ireland in Warsaw]
Poland has an embassy in Dublin.[http://www.dublin.msz.gov.pl/en/root Embassy of Poland in Dublin]

File:Biurowiec Liberty Corner w Warszawie 2021.jpg|Embassy of Ireland in Warsaw

File:Polish embassy in Dublin.jpg|Embassy of Poland in Dublin

File:Ulice 23 lutego, Masztalarska i Kramarska w Poznaniu - maj 2017.jpg|Honorary Consulate of Ireland in Poznań

References

Poland

Category:Bilateral relations of Poland