Poland–South Africa relations

In 1988, the first semi-official diplomatic contacts between Poland and South Africa took place.[1] In April 1989, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries agreed on consular protection for the Polish diaspora in South Africa via the Polish embassy in Gaborone, Botswana. In 1990, an agreement was signed to establish Interests Bureaus in both Pretoria and in Warsaw. On 18 December 1991, diplomatic relations between both nations were formally established and both nations respective Interest Bureaus were upgraded to the rank of embassies.[1]

In 1992, South African President F. W. de Klerk paid an official visit to Poland and met with Polish President Lech Wałęsa. In 2004, South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma paid a visit to Poland. In December 2013, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, along with Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and former President Lech Wałęsa; paid a visit to South Africa to attend the funeral of former President Nelson Mandela. In 2014, South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe also paid a visit to Poland.[1]

A year into the Russian invasion of Ukraine South Africa banned the sale of South African made arms to Poland arguing that they might be used to support Ukraine and thereby damage Russian-South African relations.[2][3]

Poland perceives South Africa as a priority partner in Africa, both in terms of bilateral relations and in the context of the strategic partnership between South Africa and the European Union. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, both nations have worked together to strengthen bilateral cooperation as well as multilateral relations. Both countries have cooperated in many initiatives at the United Nations, especially in the field of human rights protection.[1]

Meeting of Prime Minister of Poland Beata Szydło and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces of South Africa Thandi Modise in Warsaw in 2016

High-level visits from Poland to South Africa[1]

• Foreign Minister Krzysztof Skubiszewski (1993)
• Foreign Minister Władysław Bartoszewski (1995)
• Undersecretary of State Mariusz Handzlik (2009)
• Prime Minister Donald Tusk (2013)
• Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski (2013)

High-level visits from South Africa to Poland[1]

• President F. W. de Klerk (1992)
• Foreign Minister Pik Botha (1992)
• Foreign Minister Alfred Baphethuxolo Nzo (1994)
• Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad (1996)
• Deputy President Jacob Zuma (2004)
• Foreign Undersecretary Susan van der Merwe (2007)
• Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane (2011)
• Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe (2014)

Both nations have signed several bilateral agreements such as an Agreement for the establishment of Permanent Office of Interests in both nations respective capitals (1990); Agreement on the abolition of visa requirements for holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports (1992); Agreement on Air Transportation (1993); Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income (1995); Agreement for a protocol on consultations between the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (1995); Agreement on Industrial, Technological and Commercial Cooperation within the scope of the Military Industries (1999) and an Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (1999).[4]

Office building hosting the Embassy of South Africa in Warsaw

• Poland has an embassy in Pretoria.[5]
• South Africa has an embassy in Warsaw.[6]

• Polish diaspora