The Middle East is a place where real people are experiencing “real dramas,” said Poland’s Ambassador to Ankara, Maciej Przemyslaw Lang.
Lang outlined Poland’s stance on Middle East issues and the Ukraine crisis in an interview with Anadolu, and emphasized Türkiye’s significant role in international diplomacy.
The Palestinian Declaration of Independence formally established the State of Palestine on Nov. 15, 1988, in Algiers, the capital of Algeria.
Regarding Mideast conflicts, Lang offered a personal perspective: “I perceive the Middle East not a big geopolitical chessboard. (I see it) as a place real people live their real dramas.”
Damian Sobol, a Polish volunteer with the World Central Kitchen charity, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza in April.
Turning to the Ukraine crisis, Lang detailed Poland’s efforts to accommodate the influx of Ukrainian refugees since the war with Russia began in 2022.
“We did not open a single refugee camp. All of them (Ukrainians) were received by Polish families. (It) was absolutely unprecedented,” he said.
The ambassador emphasized Poland’s commitment to creating favorable conditions for Ukrainian migrants, particularly in education.
Noting the government and society did their best in accommodating refugees, he said: “Of course, they can stay in Poland as long as possible.”
Lang commented on Poland’s decision to intervene in Ukraine’s genocide case against Russia at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
– Prisoner-swap operation shows Türkiye’s expertise
“It clearly shows a very important role being played by Türkiye in the international arena. (It also shows Türkiye’s) level of expertise in terms of dealing with very sensitive issues.”
Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) led a successful prisoner exchange involving seven countries in one of the most extensive swap operations in recent years.
Ten prisoners, including two children, were sent to Russia, 13 to Germany, and three to the US.
