During the Cold War, as part of the ideological policy of the Eastern Bloc, Poland provided substantial economic assistance to its Socialist counterparts in Asia. However, after the political transition in Poland after 1989 and the creation of a modern aid system since 2004, Asia has not been a major focus of Polish development assistance, which has been concentrated on priority partners in Eastern Europe. Some exceptions, such as Afghanistan, China, Vietnam or Myanmar, were linked to Polish political and economic interests as well as changing motivations for foreign aid. This chapter examines the evolution of Polish aid to Asian countries since 1945 and shows what has driven Polish development cooperation in the modern era, after accession to the EU in 2004. It argues that the meagre resources of Polish aid reflect the low priority of Asia in Polish foreign policy in general and, in turn, have limited Poland’s options and influence on the continent.

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Polish Development Aid to Asia

  • Patryk Kugiel

摘要

During the Cold War, as part of the ideological policy of the Eastern Bloc, Poland provided substantial economic assistance to its Socialist counterparts in Asia. However, after the political transition in Poland after 1989 and the creation of a modern aid system since 2004, Asia has not been a major focus of Polish development assistance, which has been concentrated on priority partners in Eastern Europe. Some exceptions, such as Afghanistan, China, Vietnam or Myanmar, were linked to Polish political and economic interests as well as changing motivations for foreign aid. This chapter examines the evolution of Polish aid to Asian countries since 1945 and shows what has driven Polish development cooperation in the modern era, after accession to the EU in 2004. It argues that the meagre resources of Polish aid reflect the low priority of Asia in Polish foreign policy in general and, in turn, have limited Poland’s options and influence on the continent.