Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender visited the Republic of Poland on 12 April. This visit was originally planned for 29 March and had to be postponed after they contracted COVID-19.
It is now taking place in the shadow of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Federal President Steinmeier held political talks with Polish President Duda in Warsaw against this backdrop. The Federal President also met for discussions with Polish volunteers who are supporting refugees from Ukraine as they arrive in Poland. The itinerary further included a meeting with Elżbieta Penderecka, the widow of the late Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki. The Federal President had originally hoped to visit Poland on 29 March in order to attend the composer’s state funeral.
The Federal President gave the following statement regarding plans for a joint visit to Kyiv: My friend the Polish President Andrzej Duda suggested in recent days that we travel to Kyiv together with the presidents of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, in order to set an example and send out an unequivocal message of joint European solidarity with Ukraine. I was ready to do so. But clearly – and I must acknowledge this – that was not wanted in Kyiv.
This was the Federal President’s sixth trip to Poland since he took office in 2017.
Overview of the programme:
- Arrival in Warsaw
- Guest House of the President of the Republic of Poland
Welcome by the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, and Mrs Kornhauser-Duda - Talks between the Federal President, Elke Büdenbender, the President of the Republic of Poland and Mrs Kornhauser-Duda
- Talks between the Federal President and the President of the Republic of Poland
- Joint press conference
- Caritas Poland Youth Club, Warsaw
Conversation with young volunteers - Residence of the German Ambassador
Conversation with Elżbieta Penderecka, widow of the Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki - Return flight to Berlin