(AseanAll)  — Philippine Ambassador to Poland Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz led the historic opening ceremony of the Philippine Consulate in Szczecin, which was held at the Business Club Szczecin on 20 December 2024,according to the news released by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs on January 9,2025.

Szczecin is the capital and largest city of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship and is approximately 566 kilometers from Warsaw.

In her speech, Ambassador Basinang-Ruiz highlighted that the Consulate is the Philippines’ first official presence in the northwestern and mid-northern regions of Poland since diplomatic relations were established on 22 September 1973, marking another milestone in continuing and active mutual efforts to intensify political, economic, cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries.

She congratulated Philippine Honorary Consul Mr. Zbigniew Jagniątkowski on his appointment and welcomed him as a member of the Philippine Embassy Team in Poland that, together, will work towards pursuing trade and investment linkages as well as opportunities for cooperation in the maritime industry, education, and training, among others, in this dynamic region of Poland. 

After her speech, Ambassador Basinang-Ruiz presented to Honorary Consul Jagniątkowski his letter of appointment, consular commission and exequatur, after which he delivered his speech to outline his objectives and proposed activities to promote Philippines-Poland relations in the areas under his jurisdiction, i.e., the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, the Kuyavia-Pomeranian Voivodeship, and the Lubusz Voivodeship.

Ambassador Basinang-Ruiz also conveyed her deep appreciation to Mr. Adam Rudawski, Voivode of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, who graced the occasion and spoke to congratulate the newest addition to the Consular Corps in Szczecin, and to Ms. Anna Szlesińska, who represented the Mayor of Szczecin Mr. Piotr Krzystek and delivered his message of welcome and support. Also in attendance to convey their felicitations were the members of the Consular Corps in Szczecin and representatives from the business community and private sector.

The new Philippine Consulate is located at Moniuszki 5/1, 71-430 Szczecin, and operates from Monday to Friday (except on public holidays) from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.