Interview with new Ambassador to Poland H.E. Paul Schmit
Artur Sosna: As of September 1st, you are Ambassador of Luxembourg to the Republic of Poland. This is a new country for you, which you visited for the first time only 2 months ago. Can you tell us about your first impressions?
H.E. Paul Schmit: Indeed, I just arrived here on September 1st and had the chance to be accredited during a very cordial ceremony two weeks later. This allows me to function as Ambassador and meet the polish authorities as well as actors from the political, economic and cultural sectors. In addition we have a network of seven Honorary Consuls in Poland whom I will meet in the coming weeks, COVID-19 permitting. Poland is a most interesting country, especially from the historic and cultural point of view.
Artur Sosna: Both you and your family will stay for at least the next four years in Warsaw. What is your “working agenda” especially regarding the business relations between Luxembourg and Poland?
H.E. Paul Schmit: The Embassy traditionally is listening and helping companies from Luxembourg to develop their businesses in Poland. We try to bring together potential partners, also those undertaking activities as Start-ups, who may cooperate and develop their business in the future, thanks also to the bilateral Business Chambers, which have been established in Luxembourg and in Poland. In this regard direct air connections are important, also for Luxembourg as a capital of the EU and home to 5000 Polish citizens. The future connection announced by our national airline Luxair between Luxembourg and Cracow is of particular importance in his regard. This complements the already direct air connection between our capitals. I am also looking forward to initiating initiatives leading to exchanges of students in cooperation with universities of both countries.
Artur Sosna: Luxembourg-Poland Chamber of Commerce (LPCC) was established eight years ago. After around 80 business events in both countries, we are still full of energy and enthusiasm. Our passion and finally our mission is to bring both nations together in terms of business relations. The next important event is our 3rd Luxembourg-Poland Business Conference planned for 30th of November this year.
This time, the topic will be “Future of Logistics. Digital Strategy and Initiatives in Luxembourg & Poland”. We are proud to have the confirmation of participation by Ministers of both countries as well as both ambassadors and important players & experts in this field. Logistics is an important topic, not only in Luxembourg or in Poland but finally all over the world.
Please tell us your opinion on organizing every year such important conferences connecting our countries? By the way: the venue of the conference is rotational, which means that one year is held in the Chamber of Commerce of Luxembourg and another year in Warsaw at the Luxembourgish Embassy.
H.E. Paul Schmit: This indeed reflects the richness and dynamism of our bilateral relations in the economic and trade field as well as the willingness to undertake such events. We are partners for many years now and we continue to deepen our bilateral relationship thanks to contacts and meetings of this kind. The Embassy continues to be open to host such events in the future. I just can encourage those companies, which are not yet member of the Business Chambers, to do so in order to benefit of this network and be part of this greater business family.
Artur Sosna: Regarding our last question: You are passionate about history. Can you tell us more about your “hobby” and maybe there are other points of interest we still do not know?
H.E. Paul Schmit: As a diplomat, history and geography are always capital to really understand a country, which may differ to a certain extent from your country of origin or the one you lived so far. The history of Poland and central Europe is particularly interesting and has been characterized by many wars. Even though we sometimes may have divergent views, we are close allies and many issues and should continuously try to better understand each other and mutually reinforce ways to continue deepening our relations.
