Poland opens consulate in Northern Ireland

With about 30,000 Polish nationals living in Northern Ireland, the Polish government has decided to open a consulate in Belfast this year. It will provide full diplomatic service to Poles living in the UK territory, the Irish News reported on Thursday. Witold Waszczykowski, the Polish Foreign Minister, said that the announcement of the consulate’s opening was “an acknowledgement of the close historic ties between Poland and the UK.” The report indicated that, currently, consular services to Poles living in Northern Ireland are available just once-a-month, and the monthly appointments are over-booked. At present, only two other countries – the United States and China – have consulates in Northern Ireland. The Consul for Poland in Northern Ireland, Jerome Mullen, will remain in his present role. He told the local press that the upcoming creation of the consulate was “a momentous decision.”