embassy events 2007 

Ambassador Ashe Visits New Polish Ministers of Labor, Agriculture and Culture

3 December 2007

Ambassador Ashe and Minister of Culture Bogdan Zdrojewski

Ambassador Ashe and Minister of Agriculture Marek Sawicki

U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe met with Minister of Labor and Social Policy Jolanta Fedak on November 30, 2007, in the first of several meetings with new Polish Ministers.  Ambassador Ashe congratulated Minister Fedak on her recent appointment and they discussed issues of mutual concern, including the positive benefits of the U.S. Summer Work and Travel program for young Poles and the progress towards conclusion of a U.S/Poland Social Security Totalization Agreement.  The Ambassador described the Totalization Agreement as providing positive benefits for both countries.  Both the Ambassador and the Minister were optimistic that the agreement would be signed in January of 2008.

Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, Ambassador Ashe visited Poland’s new Minister of Agriculture, Marek Sawicki to congratulate him on his selection to this important post.  Ambassador Ashe raised important questions in the U.S.-Polish agricultural relationship such as Poland’s new access to the U.S. market for fresh, frozen, and chilled pork.  Issues such as the future of biofuels and biotechnology in Poland were also discussed.  Minister Sawicki spoke warmly about relations with the United States and outlined his priorities for the improvement of Polish agriculture, mentioning his concern about farmer incomes and retirement social security programs.  

Alson on December 3, Ambassador Ashe met with Minister of Culture Bogdan Zdrojewski.  The Ambassador congratulated the Minister on his recent appointment and ensured him of continued close cooperation between the Embassy and Ministry in the sphere of cultural and educational exchange.  The Ambassador also informed the Minister that the Embassy would be commemorating in 2009 the 50th anniversary of the Fulbright Program in Poland and the 90th anniversary of U.S.-Polish Diplomatic Relations.  The two also discussed the development of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews and redevelopment of the visitors center at the Treblinka extermination camp with American public and private support.  The Minister and Ambassador agreed that these developments, and the commemoration of the Year of Chopin in 2010, would greatly increase tourism to Poland.