The article, which was submitted in the lead-up to a NATO summit in Warsaw this July, argues that NATO should recognize “the menace posed by a restless and intrusive leadership in Moscow.”
Waszczykowski argues that “what Europe and the United States need is a more active, energetic NATO that takes practical steps to ensure the real safety of its citizens.
“And the place to start is the alliance’s Eastern flank,” the minister says, reiterating appeals made by the Polish president and defence minister for a permanent presence of NATO troops.
“Only a substantial investment in infrastructure, the deployment of military units on the ground – reinforced by precise contingency plans in the event of attack – can give Poland and its neighbours the security we need,” he wrote.
“These measures are not meant to provoke anybody," he argued.
“Rather, they are important steps toward reducing the risk of conflict.”
Denial of euroscepticism
Meanwhile, Waszczykowski claimed his government's critics are “totally wrong” in stating that his Law and Justice party is anti-European.
On 13 April, the European Parliament passed a resolution warning that the “effective paralysis” of Poland's Constitutional Tribunal endangers the rule of law, democracy and human rights.
However, Waszczykowski claims his party's reforms are designed to “democratize the political process.
“This is what our reforms of media and the Constitutional Tribunal have set out to do,” he insisted.
In late December, parliament passed a law allowing the government to appoint heads of public media outlets.
A second, larger media law is pending, stressing that journalists in state media outlets must “cultivate national traditions,” and “respect Christian values”. Heads of outlets would be appointed by a new six-person council, chosen by parliament but including at least one representative of the largest opposition party. (nh/pk)