ATLANTA — Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Friday that the United States had proposed making Poland a permanent member of the G20, as Warsaw stepped up diplomatic efforts to secure international support for its membership bid.Speaking at a news conference on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta, Sikorski said he was lobbying other countries to back Poland’s permanent inclusion in the group.”We’re very grateful to the United States for having issued the invitation during their presidency,” Sikorski said, referring to Poland’s participation in this year’s G20 activities.He also revealed that the United Kingdom, which will assume the next G20 presidency, had invited Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to attend next year’s gathering in Manchester.Poland is participating in this year’s G20 process as a full participant following an invitation from Washington, but is seeking permanent membership in the group.Sikorski said he held discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the ministerial meeting, exploring opportunities for closer cooperation and potential joint initiatives.”I was pleased to be sitting next to secretary Rubio, and therefore we were able to exchange not only views but also ideas on common projects,” he said.”I can’t publicly say all of it, but expect more Polish American initiative on the international scene,” he added.Turning to the war in Ukraine, Sikorski called for a ceasefire in the Black Sea to facilitate grain shipments from Ukraine and Russia to countries in need, including Egypt.He also emphasized the importance of safeguarding international maritime routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, describing freedom of navigation as a shared interest of the international community.
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