Witold Sobków is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Poland to the Court of St James’s.
Witold was born in Warsaw in 1961. He was educated at Warsaw University, where he studied for an M.A in the Department of English Language and Literature and then an M.A in the Department of Italian Language and Literature. He went on to study at the Hoover Institution on War and Peace at Stanford University, before completing executive programmes at Harvard University and Birkbeck College.
From 1984-1991 he lectured at Warsaw University. In 1991 he became Deputy Head of the European Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From September 2002 to July 2006 he served as Ambassador to Ireland, becoming Under-Secretary of State for European Affairs in 2006. He worked then as the Political Director and in April 2010 he became the Polish Permanent Representative to the UN and subsequently the Ambassador to the Court of St James’s in London in August 2012.
1. What is your current position?
I have been Ambassador to the Court of St. James’s since summer 2012. As I worked in the UK from 1993 to 2000, I have spent 11 years in the UK. For Poland the UK is one of the most important EU partners and Nato allies. It is also a hospitable country where almost 1 million Poles have found their second home, some of them directly after WW II, as they fought in the Battle of Britain and on other fronts. The Polish Government in Exile functioned here until 1990.
2. What are your proudest achievements?
When I worked in New York by the UN I managed to convince the member states to adopt a resolution on the World Down Syndrome Day. I also participated actively in the NPT review conference and negotiated Sustainable Development Goals before the Rio+20 Conference. I have been proud to contribute, as the Ambassador to the UK, to the development of our bilateral relations. Much unites the UK and Poland – our vision of Nato, our attitude to the single market, energy security etc. We have a huge surplus in trade and the UK remains our 2-nd trading partner.
3. What inspires you?
I am a civil servant, not a politician. We serve each government having one aim in mind: the good of our country. I promote Poland’s national interest and I try to strengthen Polish-British ties, whether in political, economic or human terms. My mission is to do it objectively and honestly.
4. What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
I do not see many obstacles in my work. The UK is a fantastic country to work. The British civil service is second to none. We have no major problems in our relations. I also enjoy my contacts with numerous think tanks, universities and schools. The diplomatic community is huge, more than 22 thousand diplomats, which gives us a unique opportunity to exchange views.
5. Who has been the biggest influence in your career?
My mentor was my former boss, Ambassador Ryszard Stemplowski, a prominent figure in Poland, at present working as a professor in Poland. I also owe much to my family, as our work has also some disadvantages, as we work from morning till night, including week-ends, and move from country to country.
6. What is the best aspect of your role?
I have an opportunity to work in one of the most fascinating country of the world, from which I can also explore global affairs, because of the Commonwealth and special links of the UK with countries of the whole world. The standard of expertise of British analysts is remarkable. I can always learn new things here. I can also get to know the UK well, as I travel a lot to attend conferences, deliver lectures or meet devolved governments and the Polish community.
7. And the worst?
The worst thing is a lack of time. We get 5-6 invitations every day to interesting events, conferences or meetings. So it is a question of choice.
8. What are your long term goals?
Professionally, to continue my work as a civil servant or work for the European External Action Service, as I am an expert on European affairs and a pro-European. I believe in the European solidarity and the role of the EU of ensuring peace, stability and prosperity for its members. Personally, I would love to visit more countries outside Europe and continue my life long learning experience.
9. If you were prime minister, what aspect would you change?
I am not a politician, but if I were Prime Minister, I would like to demonstrate to the electorate that politics can be an honest game, full of compassion, understanding, transparency and hard work for the good of the nation.
10. If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time and why ?
I would love to spend time with Leonardo da Vinci, as I regard him as the greatest genius in history.
