Polish news website Onet reached internal correspondence from NATO Headquarters, which proved that Tomasz Szatkowski was on the short list of candidates for the post of deputy secretary general of the alliance while serving as Poland’s ambassador to NATO. The Polish candidate lost his chance when he was dismissed by the Foreign Ministry, with strong opposition from the President. 

Tomasz Szatkowski ran for the position of deputy for defence investments, which is important because it influences where the financial resources will be directed – a key position for Poland and NATO eastern flank investments. According to Onet’s information, he entered the competition with no hostile interference from Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs despite being associated with close circles to President Andrzej Duda.

The ministry was then to hold confidential talks with the head of the National Security Bureau, a minister in the President’s Office Mr. Jacek Siewiera, through whom a deal was proposed to President Andrzej Duda in which the current government would support Szatkowski in exchange for the president’s consent to dismiss several ambassadors, previously supported by the President.

Most probably that deal was never reached as the Foreign Ministry’s Department of Security Policy, Adam Bugajski, entered the competition for the post of deputy for innovation, hybrid threats and cyber security – with clear support from the Ministry. When asked about Bugajski’s candidacy, Tomasz Szatkowski said that he is „an excellent specialist and a good candidate.” His weakness, however, is that he is regarded as a professional but unlike Tomasz Szatkowski, was neither deputy defence minister nor ambassador to NATO. Because of that, his chances for the position were objectively lower. 

As interpreted by the Onet, a presentation of two candidates and then the dismissal of Mr Szatkowski from the NATO ambassador post in an atmosphere of a scandal ruined the chances of both Polish candidates.

The Deputy Secretary position was finally offered to Finland who is a member of the alliance for only one year which was a bitter lesson for Poland. It is also worth noting that in its 25-year history in NATO, Poland had its representative among top Alliance officials only once. The seat of deputy president was given to Adam Kobieracki in 2003-2007.  

Photo: Maciek Jaźwiecki

Tomasz Modrzejewski