Polish Foreign Policy 2104-L-Z5PZPO

1. Determinants of Polish foreign policy between 1918 and 2012. Typology of factors influencing foreign policy. Internal and international, objective and subjective factors. Dynamic of determinants of Poland’s foreign policy 1918-2012.
2. Policy-shift after WWII. Polish involvement in peace settlement in post-war Europe (1945-1949). Change in balance of power in Europe and the world after the victory of the Allies. Decisions regarding Poland taken at Yalta conference. Change of system in Poland. The program of PKWN, the provisional government and TRJN in the field of foreign policy. Decisions regarding Poland taken at Potsdam. Involvement of Poland in preparation of peace treaties for ex-allies of the Third Reich. Polish endeavours for fulfilment of Potsdam treaty in relation to Germany.
3. New alliance treaties (1945-1949). Poland’s role in the formation of „the socialistic camp” (1945-1955); second series of alliance treaties (1965-1970). Idea of Slavic solidarity in Polish foreign policy. Refusal of the Marshall Plan and closer economic ties with the USSR, membership in the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance. Poland’s stance in relation to the existence of two German states, the Treaty of Zgorzelec (with the GDR). Participation of Poland in the military intervention of the Warsaw Pact in Czechoslovakia. Relations with other socialist states; Poland’s stance in relation to Chinese-Soviet tensions.
4. Activation of Polish foreign policy in all geographical directions (1956-1970). Role of Poland in relaxing international tensions (1970-1981). „The Renewal” in the relations with the USSR after the October ’56 events. The theory of „Three principles” of Polish foreign policy. Proposals for the so-called partial disarmament. Normalization of relations with the Federal Republic of Germany; treaty of 7th December 1970. Dynamic development of political and economic relations with the West. Policy towards developing countries and relations with the nations of the Non-Aligned Movement.
5. Foreign policy of Poland during the „martial law period” (1981-1989) (reactions of nation of the Eastern and Western bloc in connection to the August 1980 events and the imposition of the Martial Law. The attempt to rebuild position and role of Poland in cooperation with the member states of the Eastern bloc. Activation of contacts with developing countries. Poland’s activity in the process of the CSCE and the process of the disarmament (the Jaruzelski Plan).
6. The new course of foreign policy of Poland after the „round table” talks. Change in internal and international situation. New concept of foreign policy. Accession to the Council of Europe. Relations with the Holy See. Cooperation within the Weimar triangle.
7. Changes in German-Polish relations (Polish position on reunification of Germany; final agreement regarding the question of border along the Odra and Nysa Luzycka rivers. Good-neighbourhood and friendly cooperation treaty. German support for the Euro-Atlantic course of Polish foreign policy. Problems hindering Polish-German cooperation.
8. Relations with the USA. Process of Poland’s integration within NATO: diplomatic attempts, participation in the Partnership for Peace, negotiations on accession, efforts for ratification of accession protocol. Position and role of Poland within NATO.
9. Process of Poland’s integration with the European Union. Association agreement with European Communities and criteria of accession. Accession negotiations. Position and role of Poland within the EU; cooperation with WEU; Poland’s position on CFSP and ESDF/CSDP; stance in the issue of EU reforms. Poland versus attempts for strengthening of the EU. Polish presidency of the EU (in 2011).
10. Beginning stage of Eastern policy: “two track” policy toward Eastern neighbours in the period of dissolution of USSR. Relations with Russia. Flexuous in Polish-Russian bilateral relations. Process of normalisation and prospects of Polish-Russian reconciliation.
11. Relations Poland-Ukraine. Poland’s stance toward Ukrainian independence, and establishment of bilateral cooperation. Treaty on good neighbourhood, friendly relations and cooperation. Concept of strategic partnership. Revaluation in Polish-Ukrainian relations.
12. Relations Poland-Belarus. Building the contractual bases of neighbourhood cooperation (1990-1994). Difficulties in bilateral relations (1994-2008). Returning to bilateral cooperation (from 2008), and new problems in bilateral relations.
13.The role of Poland in C/OSCE and the UN. Polish initiatives for strengthening cooperative and collective security in the regional and global sphere; involvement of Poland in peacekeeping operations; Polish stance regarding the reform of the UN.
14. Conceptualisation of international roles of Poland as a “middle range” state; declared, expected and played roles.