Poland’s Security Policy a short overview

1. Poland’s Security Policy a shortoverview Marek Madej

2. Introductoryremarks • Poland – medium-size, democratic Western country • Comprehensive definition of security (hard and soft, military and non-military aspects of security), but in security policyfocus on hard, traditionalissues • Focus on regional problems: Europe, esp. Eastern part (incl. CIS and Balkans); Middle East and Central Asia • Two main multilateral pillars of Polish security policy: NATO (member since 1999), EU (member since 2004) • Othertools: regional and sub-regional structures (OSCE, Visegrad Four, Weimar Triangle), bilateral ties (particularly with the US) • General internal consensus over Polish security policy

3. Polishassessment of current security environment • Generally positive picture – Poland was never as secure as it is today • Low risk of traditional armed aggression • Possibility of political/economic pressure (part. Russian context)  growing rank attached to energy security • Potentially negative impact of unresolved conflicts in the neighborhood or adjacent regions; authoritarian regimes; (small) risk of state failure • Transnational threats/challenges – terrorism, TOC, pandemics, massive immigration (but rather moderate/low intensity of thethreat/challenge) • Global challenges – particularly ecological and economic dimensions (climate change, resource scarcity, economic crises) – long term issuesorwildcards

4. NATO – role inPolish security policy • Main instrument in traditional security sphere (military, hard security) • Primary function: collective defense (art. 5 of Washington Treaty) • Deterrence (dissuasion) • Defenseincase of conflict/othercontingencies • Forum of transatlantic strategic dialogue (consultations on security issues) • Regional and (selectively) global security provider (out of area missions, enlargement, cooperation) • Platform of political dialogue and security cooperation with other countries and organizations • Catalyst of internal reforms, mainly – but not exclusively – of Polish armed forces

5. NATO – currentoperational engagement • Objectives of engagement in out of area missions: • strengthening of NATO cohesion and capabilities(”investment in NATO”) • stabilization of international environment, defense of security interests of Poland or allies, humanitarian reasons, international responsibilities • Current engagement: • ISAF (Afghanistan) – ca. 2600 men, Ghazni province (East), no caveats • KFOR – ca. 230 men (but soon less than 200) • Other - NTM-Iraq (15-20 men), Active Endeavour (Mediterranean Sea), Air Policing (periodically, Baltic states)

6. Vision of future (new NATO strategic concept) • Primacy of Alliance traditional tasks (collective defense): emphasis on reassurance (adequate defenseplanning, development of NATO infrastructure and capabilities, training and exercise) • Operations outofarea – selective engagement, focus on Euro-Atlantic zone, principle of comprehensive approach (complex, not solely military solutions, cooperation with other partners) • Non-military aspects of security (i.e. ecological, energy, cybersecurity) – cautious, prudent approach, engagement cannot limit NATO capabilities to perform traditional tasks • Partnerships, dialogue and cooperation – focus on Euro-Atlantic partners, emphasis on importance of NATO-EU cooperation, support for balanced and mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia • Strong support for NATO open door policy

7. EU – role in Polish security policy • Most comprehensive tool of Polish security policy • Main instrument in non-military aspects of thatpolicy: • incentive for internal development (incl. UE funds) • augmenting Polish ability to influence (”force multiplier”) • Common Foreign and Security Policy = broader perspective and more profound impact on Polish diplomatic efforts (including relations with Russia) • EU membership – enhancement of Poland’s international position • Key tool in context of energy security, significant in arms control and disarmament • Crucial role in cooperation on internal security (including fight against terrorism and international crime - TOC) • Special role of Common Security and Defense Policy • Polish presidency in 2011 – CSDP = one of the priorities

8. Poland and CSDP • Polish vision of CSDP: • complementary with NATO (synergy) • unique value – civilian crisis management capabilities and ability to execute comprehensive approach • current role: CSDP – supportivetoolfor Common Foreign and Security Policy  stabilization and humanitarian mission, crisis management, NOT collective defense (but possible in future) • evidence of Polish support for integration • Operational engagement: Bosnia (ca. 150 soldiers), EULEX (Kosovo, policemen, civilian experts), Georgia (EUMM – ca. 15 observers) • Capabilities development: • Battle Groups (first in 2010 – Pol., Ger, Lit. Lat. Slk.; next in 2013-2017) • Chobielin Initiative • Significant engagement in European Defense Agency (cooperation of defense industries and on military procurement )

9. Other instruments • UN - currently secondary role (until 2009/2010 – significant engagement in peacekeeping operations); focus on global challenges (arms control and disarmament, ecological security, food security, migrations, inter-cultural dialogue etc) • OSCE – focus on soft security, particularly on democratization, human rights (ODIHR – headquarters in Warsaw); issues of arms control and disarmament (CFE and Confidence and Security Building Measures); Pan-European forum of security consultations; support for maintaining current structure (skepticism toward Russian proposal of New Security Architecture in Europe) • Sub-regional structures – complementary for NATO and EU cooperation; more intensive cooperation on selected issues • International arms control regimes • Bilateral ties • US – currently rather instrument of strengthening transatlantic ties than separate pillar of Polish Security Policy • other – strategic partnerships (France, Germany, Ukraine)