It is deemed a historic state visit of the European leader, who is the first Polish leader to visit the country.
Last October 5 to 8, Polish President Karol Nawrocki had a state visit to the Philippines.
On Tuesday, October 7, he was formally received by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Malacañan Palace in Manila, shortly after a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of Dr. Jose Rizal in Rizal Park.
According to the Marcos during their joint press conference, their talks covered priority areas for cooperation, such as defense and security, trade and investment, agriculture, science and technology, ICT, legal cooperation, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.
“Today, we want and we are opening a new chapter in these relations. Poland is very interested in raising our relationship to the level of a strategic partnership,” Nawrocki said for his part.
Marcos alsp said the two countries noted the “positive trajectory” of bilateral trade and agreed to support greater private sector participation in partnerships and investment opportunities.
Furthermore, both countries will deepen agricultural cooperation in trade, market access, among others.
“As food security remains the priority of this administration, we agreed to continue strengthening agricultural cooperation particularly in trade, market access, sanitary and phytosanitary cooperation, technologies, and agricultural research and education,” Marcos said.
The Philippine President also said that the expanded cooperation will cover key areas that can support agricultural trade, improve market access and facilitate the exchange of technologies and knowledge between the two countries.
On the digital front, both sides are now working to finalize a memorandum of understanding on information and communications technology cooperation covering cybersecurity, e-governance and digital connectivity.
In addition, the Philippines and Poland also welcomed increased cooperation in science, technology and innovation through the engagement between the Philippine Space Agency and Polish Space Agency.
Marcos also cited progress in legal cooperation following the signing of the Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons and the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.
The two countries also affirmed their readiness to begin negotiations on an extradition agreement.
President Marcos and President Nawrocki likewise agreed to promote tourism, cultural understanding and greater people-to-people exchanges.
President Marcos also welcomed Poland’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia in July and said both sides discussed opportunities to further expand relations between Poland and ASEAN.
“The Philippines also looks forward to building on the momentum of this visit and exploring even more ways to enhance our cooperation with Poland in the years ahead,” President Marcos said.
Nawrocki, meanwhile, noted that Poland and the Philippines have a solid foundation to elevate their relationship toward a strategic partnership.
“My visit is a strong political signal of Poland’s commitment to developing our relations bilaterally and regionally,” Nawrocki also stated.
SECURITY AND DEFENSE
Meanwhile, the Philippine leader also announced the strengthened defense cooperation between the Philippines and Poland.
This, as there are expanded opportunities for joint training and education and the acquisition of S-70 combat utility helicopters.
“We welcomed in particular the steady progress in Philippines-Poland defense cooperation, which includes our acquisition of S-70 Black Hawk combat utility helicopters from Poland as part of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” he said.
Furthermore, he also noted Poland’s participation as an observer in the Balikatan exercises since 2025, which is part of the growing defense and security engagements between the two countries.
“We look forward to building on the outcomes of the inaugural Philippines-Poland Joint Defense Cooperation Committee, including through joint training and educational opportunities,” Marcos said.
During their meeting, they also exchanged views on regional and international developments like the situation in the South China Sea and security developments in Ukraine and Europe—agreeing to reiterate their commitment to upholding the rule of law in international relations and resolving conflicts peacefully.
“The immediate connection between Poland and the Philippines is our belief in a common value system and respect for international law,” Marcos said, adding that attempts to change territorial boundaries through force or coercion are unacceptable to both countries.
“These incursions or attempts to change territorial boundaries are unacceptable both to Poland and to the Philippines,” he added.
Marcos also highlighted the importance of keeping communication lines open to prevent conflicts and peacefully resolve disputes and said that both sides can also work more closely with other countries that share their values and concerns.
“I believe that Poland and the Philippines can work more closely together to strengthen security and stability both in Europe and in the Indo-Pacific,” said Nawrocki beforehand.
FRIENDSHIP
Marcos and Nawrocki also highlighted the friendship between the Philippines and Poland, which they said has steadily grown since the establishment of formal diplomatic ties on September 22, 1973.
“Though separated by geography, our two nations share deep cultural links anchored in the same core values and in our Catholic faith,” President Marcos said in his toast remarks, adding that his Polish counterpart’s presence in Manila reflects the importance both countries place on their partnership and could pave the way for further cooperation.
“I am confident that your visit will open up new opportunities for cooperation and bring our peoples even closer together,” he addrd
Nawrocki then thanked Marcos for the invitation. “I have to admit that after only a short time here, I already feel very much at home. We all feel at home here in Manila,” he quipped.
The Polish leader also acknowledged the shared history, faith and friendship of both countries, notablu the visits of Pope Saint John Paul II to the country in 1981 and 1995.
“One of the things that brings our societies together, as we mentioned during our discussion, is our Catholic heritage and the values it has shaped,” Nawrocki said.
Nawrocki also said his discussions with President Marcos showed many areas where the Philippines and Poland share common ground and could further work together.
The Polish leader also described the Philippines as an important partner of Poland in the region and expressed appreciation for the country’s friendship.
To top that, tbe Polish President invited President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos to visit Warsaw.
“I look forward to welcoming you to Warsaw, and I hope that when you come you will feel as welcome as we have felt here in Manila,” Nawrocki said..
MANILA-WARSAW TIES
The State Visit happens after 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 in September 2026.
In 2025, Poland ranked as the Philippines’ 28th largest trading partner, with total trade reaching PHP 533.98 million.
Philippines exports include hearing aids, storage units, integrated circuits, and input/output units, while imports from Poland consist of cuts and offal of fowls, milk and cream products, and kraft liners.
Polish foreign direct investments (FDI) to the Philippines amounted to USD 120,000 in the same yearz with priority sectors for investment promotion to Poland include renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency, RE infrastructure equipment manufacturing, IT-BPM, and infrastructure development.
Poland is also home to an estimated 25,000 Filipinos, with their remittances amounted to USD 2.43 million in 2025.
Although, on the tourism front, the Philippines also recorded 21,311 tourist arrivals from Poland, up from 15,555 in 2024.
Poland also recently acceded to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), 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.
Aside from his visit to Malacañang, the Polish leader also opened the fifth Poland-Philippines IT Business Summit on October 7, which brought together Filipino and Polish companies and focus on cooperation in new technologies, smart cities, mobility, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
