– NATO Command Center “North-East” in Szczecin will play a significant role in the preparation of a rapid reaction force. And if a rapid reaction force will be located on the territory of Poland, we have to do so that the center of Szczecin was ready to take command of these forces. This is advantageous from the point of view so as not to duplicate the command structure.

It was created 16 years ago with the participation of three countries – Poland, Denmark and Germany. A year ago, due to an increase in the risks associated with the annexation of the Crimea, the role of the center has increased, and we are quite satisfied. The fact that NATO has decided to use this center to be beneficial to all parties.

GAZETA: Last week NATO and Poland joined the missile defense system. What does this mean in practice?- This agreement concerns the mutual integration of the Polish and NATO missile defense system. And today we are in the process of training systems Polish air defense system, including missile defense, to protect against short-range missiles. We have partners in the US and in France, and this year we have to take all appropriate decisions.

Poland must avoid confrontation

But regardless of that the US is going to establish its own missile defense system in Poland.

This initiative for many years, it has arisen in connection with the then-emerging threats missile attack from the Middle East. This complex will be completed systems installed on US ships in the Mediterranean Sea, the radar in Turkey, the elements of this system in Romania, which should become operational this year. Elements of the system in Poland will become operational in 2018.

GAZETA: Relations between our countries are going through hard times

– Activity of the Russian Federation in the Baltic Sea, as well as in the Kaliningrad region, associated with military exercises, of course, helps to relieve stress. But we do not see this as action directed specifically against Poland. These actions affect other countries: recently appeared in the media information about the appearance of Russian bombers with nuclear weapons near the British shores.

However, I wish to refer to the recent statement of our Prime Minister, Mrs. Eva Kopacz, who said that the main thing for us – to avoid any confrontation with Russia. Even despite the fact that we do not condone the actions of Russia in Ukraine.

GAZETA: As things stand now in a relationship with their Russian counterparts, including Sergei Shoigu?- With regard to the contacts of the defense ministers of Russia and Poland, we had no meetings since 2004, ie for 11 years, except for my handshake with the Minister Shoigu at a meeting of the Russia – NATO and a half years ago.

However, up to a point between our military was a nice touch. Three years ago, our head of the General Staff visited his Russian counterpart. Now we can say that there is no relationship. All this reflects the overall picture of the relations between Russia and NATO. Of course, there are other areas, and I do not want to make far-reaching conclusions: for example, our foreign policy departments closely interact.

GAZETA: It is known that there are several armed Polish MiG-29. Do you plan to use them in the future?

– We recently held their modernization and are going to continue to use them for a few more years. That Polish MiG-29 served a mission for the protection of the sky Baltic States. We like this aircraft, and we will continue to use it.

GAZETA: Bulgaria may apply to Poland with a proposal to renovate their own planes Soviet-made

GAZETA: In Russia, May 9 will mark the 70th anniversary of the Victory.Do you see the opportunity to visit the Russian senior Polish politicians and military?

– Our President (at the time, Aleksander Kwasniewski. – “Times”) participated in similar ceremonies in 2005, and there still is a lot of respect to Russia in connection with this holiday, we honor the memory of victims who suffered by the Red Army in the fight Nazism.

However, as you know, we have different estimates of what happened after 1945. Nevertheless, we remember and visit in 2009. Putin Westerplatte (peninsula in Gdansk Bay, where Polish troops within a week after the start of World War II Military defended transit warehouse, the Polish “Brest Fortress”. – “Times”) and the decision to attend the commemorative events suggests that Russia is serious about the events of the Second World War. And yet, if you’re asking about May 9, 2015, I find it difficult to answer this question. I can not imagine the presence of the Polish delegation in Moscow, taking into account the current tensions.

“The main thing – to avoid confrontation with Russia”