Following official welcome ceremony, Adm. Stavridis and Chief of General Staff of Polish Armed Forces Gen. Franciszek GĄGOR took part in press briefing opening SACEUR’s visit to Poland. Adm. Stavridis stressed the role of Poland in the Alliance, expressed his gratitude to the Polish Armed Forces for their contribution to NATO operations, particularly ISAF. He said that Poland is one of the most reliable members of the Alliance. With regards to Afghanistan, Adm. Stavridis stressed his certainty that the newly adopted strategy of the Alliance will bring its expected results due to growing international civil-military cooperation, growing effectiveness of Afghan security forces and a fact that rebels have no viable offer for the people of Afghanistan. “We have means, we have strategy and I believe we have the right solution for Afghanistan” – said Adm. Stavridis. He underlined, that the training of Afghan security forces is of utmost importance for the success of ISAF and that results will be visible within next 18 months.
Chief of General Staff thanked the visitor for effective command of Allied operations in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Iraq as well as the Air Policing of Baltic states territories. Gen. Gągor added that Allied operations, transformation, and new Strategic Concept will be main topics of his bilateral talks with SACEUR.
Adm. Stavridis will also meet today the Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Defence Czesław Piątas, the Chief of Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland Władysław Stasiak and the Chief of National Security Bureau Aleksander Szczygło. SACEUR will also hold a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski and pay a tribute at the Grave of Unknown Soldier. He will also visit the PAF Operational Command.

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SPOKESPERSON
OF THE CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF OF PAF