Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski officially handed Bartol her ambassadorial nomination on Tuesday, making her the first woman to serve as the country's EU envoy.
Sikorski described Bartol as a “patriot, expert and diplomat."
More appointments expected soon
Foreign ministry spokesman Paweł Wroński told Polish state news agency PAP that Bartol’s appointment represents a potential turning point in strained relations between the government and the president.
Wroński said that a dozen or more nominees are expected to be approved by President Andrzej Duda soon.
He added that the ministry hopes for "broad confirmations" to prevent a further weakening of Poland’s diplomatic presence during what he called a period of international uncertainty.
Key nominations still pending
Małgorzata Paprocka, head of the Polish President's Office, said earlier this month that nominations for key posts in Israel, the OECD and NATO were awaiting the final nod from the government. She named Maciej Hunya, Jan Vincent Rostowski and Jacek Najder as the nominees.
Presidential spokeswoman Diana Głownia said in early April that a panel known as the Foreign Service Council was reviewing additional candidates, with 18 pending nominations currently awaiting the president’s approval.
Possible breakthrough in ambassadorial standoff: daily
According to Gazeta Wyborcza, Duda has recently agreed to ambassadorial appointments that were previously blocked, including postings to Norway, Kuwait, Estonia, Egypt, Singapore, Panama and other Latin American countries.
The long-running dispute began in March last year, when Sikorski announced the end of missions for over 50 ambassadors and withdrew some nominations submitted by the previous government.
Duda responded that no ambassador can be appointed or dismissed without his signature, resulting in a diplomatic impasse.
In the meantime, some key posts have been filled by diplomats without full ambassadorial status, such as Bogdan Klich in Washington.
(mp/gs)
Source: IAR/PAP/MSZ/X/@PolandMFA/@sikorskiradek/@POLAND25EU
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