On 6 February 2012, the government of the United States of America decided to close its embassy in Damascus. Simultaneously, the U.S. Department of State – taking into account the special nature of Polish-American relations and Poland’s position in the Middle East – requested that the authorities of the Republic of Poland represent U.S. interests in Syria. In keeping with the principle of international solidarity and the long tradition of Polish-American friendship, Poland has agreed to the request.

During the Munich Security Conference on 3-5 February 2012, Minister Radosław Sikorski - apart from taking part in a panel discussion devoted to the role of Germany in the EU and around the world - also engaged in a number of interesting bilateral meetings. Among others, he talked with the foreign ministers of Germany, Spain, Romania, Czech Republic, Moldova, and Serbia. The discussion with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle covered such issues as the Syria crisis, Iran's nuclear programme and the future of the EU - including the new Multiannual Financial Framework.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski is participating in the 48th Munich Security Conference on 3-5 February 2012. During the conference Minister Sikorski will take part in a panel discussion devoted to the role of Germany in Europe and around the world.

On 5 February 2012 Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski will participate in the Council of the Baltic Sea States 17th Extraordinary Ministerial Session in Plön, Germany. The meeting will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Council’s establishment.

On 31 January 2012, in the headquarters of the Permanent Secretariat of the Community of Democracies in Warsaw, Minister Radosław Sikorski presented the Bene Merito distinction to Prof. João Carlos Espada. Since 2009, the Bene Merito honorary distinction has been bestowed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Polish and foreign citizens whose activities enhance Poland's position in the international arena. 

In Poland, the International Holocaust Remembrance Day is of great significance. During the Second World War, it was on German-occupied Polish territory that Nazi Germany constructed all of its death camps, including the global symbol of the Holocaust – the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. The international community has selected the anniversary of the camp’s liberation to serve as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

On 27 January 2012, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mikołaj Dowgielewicz will lead the Polish delegation to the General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels. During the meeting, ministers will discuss the next Multiannual Financial Framework.

Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski will lead the Polish delegation on 23 January 2012 to the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting in Brussels. The FAC agenda will include discussion on Iran, the current situation in Syria and Egypt and the Middle East peace process.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its deep sorrow at the death of Wilman Villar Mendoza, a 37 years old Cuban dissident and member of the opposition party Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) from the Santiago de Cuba province. Wilman Villar Mendoza passed away after a 50-day long hunger strike, which he began in the protest against his arbitral sentencing for 4 years of imprisonment in November 2011.

On 24 January 2012 Secretary of State for European Affairs and Economic Policy Mikołaj Dowgielewicz will hold consultations prior to the informal meeting of heads of the EU states and governments to be organized on 30 January 2012. During his visit to London Minister Dowgielewicz will participate in a seminar summing up the Polish Presidency in the EU Council.