Polish National Day Celebrated in Tehran
TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking at a diplomatic gathering attended by ambassadors, foreign dignitaries, and members of the diplomatic corps, Mr. Wilczek highlighted the significance of the Constitution of May 3, 1791 — the first written constitution in modern Europe and the second in the world, following the United States Constitution of 1787. He described it as a cornerstone of Polish identity, emphasizing its role in sustaining the Polish spirit through 123 years of foreign partitions and decades of communist rule.
Mr. Wilczek underscored the unique historical relationship between Poland and Iran, noting that in 2024 the two nations celebrated the 550th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. He recalled that official contact dates back to 1474 when Shah Uzun Hassan sent a letter to the Polish King Casimir Jagiellonian via a Venetian envoy, with the first recorded Polish diplomatic mission to Persia taking place in 1602.
“Very few countries can trace their diplomatic history so far into the past,” Mr. Wilczek said, expressing optimism about the upcoming centenary of the 1927 Treaty of Friendship, which established formal legations in both Warsaw and Tehran.
In remarks touching on present-day diplomacy, Mr. Wilczek noted ongoing dialogue between Polish and Iranian foreign ministries, including recent high-level talks and condolences extended to Iranian officials following the tragic explosion in Bandar Abbas. As Poland currently holds the presidency of the EU Council, its embassy in Tehran is also representing the European Union in coordination with the European External Action Service.
Mr. Wilczek paid tribute to the hospitality extended by Iran to thousands of Poles evacuated from the Soviet Union in 1942, noting that around 120,000 Polish citizens found refuge in Iran during World War II — a gesture still deeply appreciated by Poles today.
Turning to contemporary geopolitical issues, Mr. Wilczek voiced strong support for Ukraine, condemning Russia’s invasion as “the most significant and immediate threat” to Poland and the European Union. “No state should support Russia’s illegal, unjustified, and unprovoked aggression,” he asserted, calling for a collective international response grounded in the UN Charter.
On the Middle East, Mr. Wilczek reiterated Poland’s longstanding support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He highlighted Poland’s early recognition of Palestinian statehood in 1988 and the establishment of a Polish diplomatic mission in Ramallah in 2005.
Welcoming the resumption of dialogue between Iran and the United States, Mr. Wilczek expressed hope that renewed talks would lead to a sustainable agreement beneficial to regional stability.
The address concluded on a forward-looking note, celebrating growing academic exchanges. Nearly 500 Iranian students are currently pursuing higher education in Poland, particularly in medicine, engineering, arts, and design. Mr. Wilczek emphasized their potential as future ambassadors of friendship between the two countries.
He also recognized the Polish community in Iran, offering best wishes in Polish and thanking them for serving as a cultural bridge.
“Your presence, your knowledge of both cultures and languages, makes you an important bridge between our nations,” he said.
The event ended with warm applause, reflecting the shared respect and longstanding camaraderie between the Polish and Iranian peoples.
