By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

Marking another milestone in Philippine diplomatic relations, the First Couple welcomed Polish President Karol Nawrocki and First Lady Marta Nawrocka in a ceremony at Malacañang late Tuesday, after attending a wreath-laying ceremony at Rizal Park.

President Nawrocki went on to sign the guest book before joining President Marcos Jr. in a bilateral meeting, where both heads of state exchanged views on regional and international developments.

President Marcos Jr. addressed his Polish counterpart, “Your visit marks a significant milestone in the long-standing friendship between the Philippines and Poland.”

The Polish leader replied, “One of the things that brings our societies together, as we mentioned during our discussion, is our Catholic heritage and the values it has shaped. Our peoples share a strong attachment to family, hard work, friendship, community, and solidarity. These shared values provide an important foundation for mutual understanding.”

Both leaders went on to discuss priority areas for further cooperation, which include:

• Agriculture
• Defense and security
• Information and communications technology (ICT)
• Legal cooperation
• People-to-people exchanges
• Trade and investment
• Tourism

President Marcos Jr. said on the expanded agricultural cooperation, “As food security remains the priority of this administration, we agreed to continue strengthening agricultural cooperation particularly in trade, market access, sanitary and phytosanitary cooperation, technologies, and agricultural research and education.”

He went on to announce the enhanced defense cooperation between the Philippines and Poland, which opens the doors for expanded opportunities for joint training and education and the acquisition of S-70 combat utility helicopters.

President Marcos Jr. also welcomed Poland’s participation as an observer in the Balikatan exercises since 2025, which he touted as significant progress in the mutual relations of both countries that share the same commitment to international law and respect for national sovereignty.

Both leaders also witnessed the signing of the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, with President Nawrocki expressing readiness to begin negotiations on an extradition agreement that builds upon an earlier Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons.

One for the books

After the tête-à-tête, the First Couple exchanged gifts with President Nawrocki and First Lady Marta Nawrocka, serving as a gesture of friendship and goodwill between both nations.

The eventful day wrapped up with their attendance at the State Banquet, which celebrated a new milestone in the ties between Manila and Warsaw.

The first visit by a Polish Head of State to the country followed recent milestones for both countries, such as the inaugural meeting of the Philippines-Poland Joint Defense Cooperation Committee in Warsaw in July 2026, and the 7th Philippines-Poland Political Consultations in Manila in September 2026.

Poland was among the slate of European countries that recently acceded to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) during the 50th anniversary commemorative activities held in July, under the Philippines’ chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

2026 marks 53 years of Philippines-Poland diplomatic relations, which were conceived on September 22, 1973 and have seen revitalization of ties over the past decade.

Home to 25,000 Filipinos, Poland also ranks 28th among the Philippines’ largest trading partners as of 2025.

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