Polish leader, BBM eye trade, security during historic call

Polish President Karol Nawrocki will make the first-ever visit by a Polish head of state to the Philippines from 5 to 8 October, Malacañang said Friday.

Nawrocki and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. are expected to underscore their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations.

The visit will open new opportunities for cooperation in several areas, including defense and security, trade and investment, agriculture, science and technology, information and communications technology, legal cooperation, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

Both leaders are also expected to discuss regional and international issues of common interest.

Building on growing relations

The state visit builds on the recent progress in Philippines-Poland relations, including the first meeting of the Philippines-Poland Defense Cooperation Committee in Warsaw in July 2026 and the 7th Philippines-Poland Political Consultations held in Manila last September.

The Philippines and Poland established diplomatic ties on 22 September 1973. Over the past decade, relations between the two countries have grown, with Poland becoming an important economic partner of the Philippines.

In 2025, Poland ranked as the Philippines’ 28th largest trading partner. Poland is also home to an estimated 25,000 Filipinos, further strengthening the people-to-people ties between the two countries.

Poland also recently acceded to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, along with Lithuania, Romania, and Sweden, during the 50th anniversary commemoration of the TAC in Manila in July 2026 held under the Philippines’ Asean chairship.