Poland's Foreign Policy 2100-ERASMUS-PFPO

I. Determinants and History of Polish Foreign Policy

Typology of foreign policy determinants. Domestic and international determinants. Objective and subjective determinants. Dynamics of the determinants of Polish foreign policy between 1918 and 2024.

Reorientation of Polish foreign policy after World War II. Yalta and Potsdam decisions on Poland. Poland’s relations with socialist states. Poland’s relations with Western countries. Poland’s relations with developing countries (the Third World). Poland’s activity in favor of détente, disarmament, and peace; participation in the CSCE process.

Reorientation of Polish foreign policy after the Round Table Talks.
Poland’s accession to the Council of Europe. Relations with the Holy See. Cooperation within the Weimar Triangle.

Transformation of Polish–German relations.
Poland’s stance on German reunification. Final settlement of the Oder–Neisse border issue. Treaty on Good Neighbourship and Friendly Cooperation. Germany’s support for Poland’s Euro-Atlantic orientation. Issues complicating Polish–German cooperation.

II. Poland in Relations with the USA, NATO, and the EU

Poland’s relations with the United States.
Process of Poland’s integration with NATO (diplomatic efforts, participation in the “Partnership for Peace,” accession negotiations, efforts for ratification of the accession protocol). Poland’s position and role within NATO.

Process of Poland’s integration with the European Union.
Association Agreement with the European Communities and accession criteria. Accession negotiations. Poland’s role and position in the European Union: stance on EU reform; position on the CFSP; position on the CSDP. Poland’s stance toward attempts to strengthen the European Union. Poland’s EU presidency (2011) and further activity in the EU. Conflict with the European Commission over the rule of law. Preparations for Poland’s 2025 EU presidency.

III. Poland’s Eastern Policy

Initial stage of Eastern policy; the “dual-track” policy toward Eastern neighbors during the dissolution of the USSR.
Poland’s relations with Russia. Complexities of bilateral relations. The process of normalization and prospects for Polish–Russian reconciliation. Poland’s stance toward Russia’s aggressive policy after 2014.

Poland–Ukraine relations.
Poland’s stance on Ukraine’s independence and establishment of bilateral cooperation. Treaty on Good Neighbourhood, Friendly Relations, and Cooperation. Concept of strategic partnership and its implementation. Reassessments in bilateral relations. Poland’s assistance after Russia’s full-scale aggression in 2022.

Poland–Belarus relations.
Building the legal basis for neighborly cooperation (1990–1994). Difficulties in bilateral relations (1994–2008). Return to bilateral cooperation (since 2008) and new tensions. Events of 2020 and the migration crisis.

IV. Poland’s Position in the International Arena

Poland’s role in the OSCE and the UN.
Polish initiatives for strengthening cooperative and collective security at the regional and global level. Poland’s participation in peacekeeping operations. Poland’s stance on UN reform.

Conceptualization of Poland’s international role as a “middle power.”
Expected, declared, and enacted roles.