Poland seeks a more active role in Southeast Asia, focusing on political, economic and security cooperation with ASEAN as Warsaw strengthens ties with the Philippines and expands its Indo-Pacific engagement.
Poland seeks to become an active partner for countries across Southeast Asia, with President Karol Nawrocki highlighting opportunities for closer political, economic and security cooperation with the region. He makes the remarks following talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila.
Nawrocki says the Philippines and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) represent significant markets and offer substantial opportunities for business, trade and economic cooperation for Poland and Europe. The Philippines holds the ASEAN chairmanship in 2026 and prepares to host the organisation’s summit in Manila in November.
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The Polish president’s visit marks the first visit by a serving Polish president to the Philippines and reflects Warsaw’s growing interest in strengthening relations with Southeast Asia. Poland and the Philippines have maintained diplomatic relations since 1973, while Nawrocki says Warsaw is interested in developing the relationship towards a strategic partnership.
Economic cooperation forms an important part of the discussions between Nawrocki and Marcos. The two leaders review opportunities to increase bilateral economic engagement, while Poland seeks to use its industrial, technological and economic capabilities to develop stronger links with Southeast Asian markets. Nawrocki also highlights the importance of expanding people-to-people connections, noting growing tourism between the two countries and the contribution of Filipinos living and working in Poland.
Security cooperation also remains a significant element of Poland’s approach to the region. Nawrocki notes that Poland and the Philippines attach particular importance to strategic relations with the United States and says the American presence remains an important element of security in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific. This creates additional scope for dialogue between Warsaw and Manila on regional and international security issues.
Poland is also strengthening its institutional engagement with ASEAN. In July 2026, Warsaw formally joins the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, marking a step towards a stronger Polish presence in the Indo-Pacific. Nawrocki says Poland wants to develop relations with ASEAN not only as a European Union member but also as a Central European country with economic, technological and defence capabilities.
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The president links Poland’s Southeast Asian engagement with its broader ambition to secure a permanent presence in the G20. He says deeper relations with ASEAN can also help highlight the perspectives of regions that remain underrepresented in major international decision-making formats.
The latest engagement signals Poland’s effort to broaden its Indo-Pacific partnerships while supporting stronger trade, investment, security and diplomatic ties with Southeast Asia.