Robert Rostek, Poland's ambassador to the UAE
Dubai - In the last 6 years, 15,000 Polish people have visited the UAE
Published: Mon 16 Apr 2018, 9:26 PM
Updated: Mon 16 Apr 2018, 11:30 PM
dubai - They are just 4,125 in number here, but the Polish boast of an almost three decade-long strong bond with the UAE.
The UAE's Polish community is also the biggest in the Arab region. Little is known about the community here, which is why many were surprised when Poland was selected the host country for the upcoming Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF).
In an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times, Robert Rostek, Polish Ambassador to the UAE, said: "This year is very unique for us, as our 100 years of Independence coincides with the 100th birth anniversary of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. In the Year of Zayed, we are the Abu Dhabi book fair's host country, a first in our relations with Arab nations."
Robert Rostek, who took office in 2014, told Khaleej Times that there was huge rise in the number of Poles visiting the UAE; in the last six years, the number touched 15,000; 16,000 Emiratis visited Poland during this time.
Leading writers, media personalities and politicians will participate in the 5-day ADIBF. A commemorative book, which will be released both in the UAE and Poland, and an Arabic translation of a famous Polish book are among the slated post-book fair activities.
For their 100th Independence day, there will be "activities other than usual speeches", the ambassador said. "We have a Polish school with 250 students, under the embassy of Abu Dhabi. They will do Polonus performances in traditional dress before dignitaries, including sheikhs and ambassadors from other countries."
Is Poland participating in Expo 2020?
"Yes, we got an invite from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed to participate in the Expo. The official confirmation will be made in two weeks," Polish Ambassador to the UAE Robert Rostek disclosed to Khaleej Times.
The official announcement will be made during the Abu Dhabi Book fair opening. A dedicated team is already working to make the Expo a unique experience.
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Other areas of cooperation
The two countries are also cooperating on political dialogue, sport, defence and trade ties, since the embassy has made its presence in 1989. The trade ties are worth $800million now and the highest ever amount was $1billion in 2014.
Talking about the strong security situation in the UAE, the ambassador said: "People think the situation across the region is like Syria, Iraq and Yemen. I was asked a few months back, why so many Poles are visiting the UAE? Security-wise, the UAE is top. Even in the USA, one does not feel this much security."
Regarding political dialogue, Rostek said: "His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, met the president-elect during his visit to Poland in 2015. Now the official visit from Polish side is due. It will happen before Expo 2020.
"The Ministry of foreign affairs of both countries will meet this year, most probably in Abu Dhabi first and then in Warsaw. The UAE appreciates personal visits and dialogue more than other countries, in order to create the ground for future cooperation."
Despite all this "there are still gaps, which needs to be filled, like in the education sector," the ambassador said.
"Besides, we are getting queries from Emirati business people on how to invest in Poland, which is very positive."
Visa waiver is an added advantage for both countries and there are four services, including a charter flight option for visitors from both nations, making connectivity easy.
nazeem@khaleejtimes.com
'No bigger tragedy than conflicts becoming a natural affair'
Poland is a country which has seen the horrors of world wars. With many large scale conflicts currently ongoing around the world, Khaleej Times asked Robert Rostek, Poland's Ambassador to the UAE, what the country - where World War II was triggered in 1939 after they were invaded by Germany - can offer to the "warring world".
"Our history is very painful. World War II was a problematic time for Poland; then, there was the Solidarity Revolutionary movement in 1980. We achieved peace, but of course, there were several casualties in the transformation process.
"In Syria, Yemen and Iraq, we are far from reaching solutions. Political solution is always the best. Sadly, we are moving to military intervention than solutions. In my opinion, there is no bigger tragedy than casualties and explosions becoming natural affairs. If we don't teach the younger generation about the fragility of peace, the future will not be brilliant for them.
"We need to keep the new generation informed about the dangers of conflicts."
nazeem@khaleejtimes.com
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