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More information about Poland is available on the Poland Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
U.S.-POLAND RELATIONS
Poland is a key ally in Central Europe, and one of the United States’ strongest partners on the continent. In addition to supporting international counterterrorism efforts, Poland partners closely with the United States on issues such as democratization, nonproliferation, human rights, regional cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe, economic growth and energy security, and United Nations reform. Poland contributes soldiers to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan; maintains troops in the Balkans, mainly in the NATO Kosovo Force; and is contributing a full battalion to the NATO Response Force, with soldiers on call for rapid deployment.
The United States established diplomatic relations with the newly formed Polish Republic in 1919. Poland was invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. A communist regime took power in 1947 following the war, and U.S. relations with Poland were distant. The 1989 end of communist rule in Poland heralded a new era in bilateral relations.
U.S. Assistance to Poland
Poland graduated from USAID assistance in 2000 and capitalized on its successful transition experience to become a provider of assistance to other countries in the region, as well to the Middle East and North Africa. The U.S.-Poland Democracy Dialogue is a framework for U.S. partnership with Poland on democracy promotion. Poland co-chairs the Community of Democracies Moldova Task Force with the United States, is active in the EU’s Eastern Partnership and spearheaded the launch of the European Endowment for Democracy.
U.S. security assistance enhances Poland’s capability to meet its NATO obligations and to deploy and sustain professional forces in multilateral operations, often in support of U.S. deployments in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2012, the U.S. will open a full-time aviation detachment in Poland to increase interoperability through joint training exercises and regular rotation of U.S. military aircraft. U.S. assistance is also helping Poland to prepare for hosting NATO missile defense assets in the 2018 timeframe.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Strong economic growth potential, a large domestic market, tariff-free access to the European Union (EU), and political stability are prime reasons that U.S. companies do business in Poland. Opportunities for trade and investment have attracted foreign investors into all sectors, and the United States is one of Poland's top investors. As an EU member, Poland applies the EU's common external tariff to goods from other countries, including the United States. The United States and Poland have signed a double taxation treaty and a bilateral treaty on business and economic relations. The June 2012 U.S.-Poland Business Summit promoted expansion of bilateral commercial relations, provided businesses with an opportunity to present their views and concerns to the Polish and American governments, and raised public awareness of the significance of the bilateral economic relationship.
Poland's Membership in International Organizations
Poland and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Poland also is an observer to the Organization of American States.
Bilateral Representation
The U.S. Ambassador to Poland is Stephen Mull; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.
Poland maintains an embassy in the United States at 2640 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel. 202-234-3800).
More information about Poland is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
Department of State Poland Country Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Poland Page
U.S. Embassy: Poland
History of U.S. Relations With Poland
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Library of Congress Country Studies
Travel and Business Information
