Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said Tuesday a compromise with President Karol Nawrocki over ambassador nominations is possible — but only if it is based on legal grounds and respects the professionalism of career diplomats.
“I cannot be held accountable for ambassadors while someone else decides on their appointment,” Sikorski said, pointing out that he is legally responsible for the diplomatic service and answers to Parliament. Photo: PAP/Rafał Guz
“There is room for compromise,” Sikorski told reporters after a government meeting. “But it must be based on legal grounds and without discriminating against professional diplomats.”
The remarks follow a Monday meeting between Sikorski and Nawrocki amid a standoff over diplomatic appointments. The president has objected to nominating several candidates, including Ryszard Schnepf for ambassador to Rome and Bogdan Klich for Washington.
“I cannot be held accountable for ambassadors while someone else decides on their appointment,” Sikorski said, pointing out that he is legally responsible for the diplomatic service and answers to Parliament. He also defended both Schnepf and Klich, saying their past service and performance should outweigh political criticisms.
Referring to Klich, who is currently chargé d’affaires in Washington, Sikorski said, “The fact that the right wing considers him a 'Smolensk terrorist’ is not grounds for disqualifying him.”
The minister recalled that under the same legal framework, former President Andrzej Duda approved 24 ambassadorial nominations. “So if President Duda could sign them, President Nawrocki could have signed at least one over the past six months,” he said.
Sikorski added that the meeting with Nawrocki had been “constructive, even pleasant,” and that the Foreign Ministry takes the president’s personnel suggestions “very seriously.” Both sides agreed to stop discussing nominations in public to protect the effectiveness and dignity of candidates and current diplomats.
He also addressed questions about the so-called “Peace Council” initiative, reportedly led by U.S. President Donald Trump. Sikorski clarified that the Polish government had not authorized any formal participation, as required by national law governing international agreements.
“If the president wishes to join, he must request a resolution from the Council of Ministers,” Sikorski said, noting that such a request had not yet been made.
Asked about the possibility of a new American military base being linked to joining the Peace Council, Sikorski said he had no knowledge of such a deal and doubted its existence, emphasizing that U.S. troop presence in Poland has been pursued for over two decades.
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Source: PAP
Radio Poland