Embassy of Canada, Warsaw

Embassy of Canada to Poland
Location	Warsaw,Poland
Address	ulica Jana Matejki 1/5
Coordinates	52°13′29″N21°01′34″E
Ambassador	Catherine Godin
Jurisdiction	Poland Belarus
Website	Official website

TheEmbassy of Canada to Poland(French:Ambassade du Canada en Pologne;Polish:Ambasada Kanady w Polsce) inWarsawis thediplomatic mission of CanadatoPoland.The embassy also covers the country ofBelarusas part of its mandate. The embassy is located at ulicaJana Matejki1/5 in Warsaw, down the street from thePolish Sejm.

History

Embassy of Canada to Poland in 1970

Prior to 1970, the Embassy of Canada to Poland was located in a rented office onKatowicka Street.The initial embassy building was opened in 1970 at ulicaJana Matejki1/5, which was then torn down for the construction of the current building. The embassy has a perpetual lease on the grounds from the City of Warsaw.

Designed by architect Voytek Gorczynski, the new facility is more than double the size of the building it replaced, and it has won acclaim since its official opening in 2001. The embassy was named Best Building of the Year in 2001 by Polish Business News, Best Public Building in 2002 by the City of Warsaw, and it received a special citation from the Association of Polish Architects for the Best Architectural Design in 2001.

The embassy's architectural design includes an emphasis on open spaces and natural light, which represent the Canadian values of transparency and openness. Expanding on these themes are a three-storey sky-lit lobby and a double-height multi-purpose room called the Canada Room, which is used for formal receptions and presentations. The building is three storeys in height, with a French limestone and aluminum exterior.

The Two Rocks Monument

The Two Rocks Monument

The Two Rocks monument was unveiled in 1999 by the then Prime Ministers of Canada and Poland –Jean ChrétienandJerzy Buzek.The inscription on the monument says: "These two rocks, one from Poland and the second from Canada, commemorate Polish and Canadian soldiers, who fought side by side during World War II." One rock originates fromWilno (Canada)and the other from theKashubianregion in Poland, symbolizing the coming together of the Canadian and Polish people.

On August 21, 2009, the Embassy of Canada to Poland commemorated the 65th anniversary of theBattle of Falaisein France, during which the allied forces of Canada and Poland defeated the German troops. Wreaths were laid by representatives of Canada’sDepartment of National Defenceand by Polish veterans – participants of the Battle of Falaise - at the Two Rocks monument, situated in front of the Canadian Embassy in Warsaw.

Embassy sections

The embassy is one of Canada's largest missions in Central and Eastern Europe, with approximately 13 Canada-based diplomats and 65 locally employed staff working at the chancery and the ambassador's official residence. Currently, there are five sections operating at the Embassy:

TheVisa Sectionprocesses applications for temporary resident and permanent resident visas from citizens and residents of Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

TheTrade Sectionpromotes Canada's trade and economic interests in Poland, and supports Canadian companies and their products, services or technologies in the Polish market. This section also offers Polish clients assistance regarding investment and trade opportunities in Canada and will match their sourcing needs with appropriate Canadian products and services.

TheConsular Sectionprovides assistance to Canadians travelling, studying or residing in Poland and Belarus.

ThePolitical, Economic, Cultural, Academic & Public Affairs Sectionhas a broad scope of responsibilities in Poland, including promoting bilateral political and parliamentary relations, academic and educational relations, cultural relations, scientific cooperation, press/media, and public affairs. This section is also responsible for political relations with Belarus and International Experience Canada which is a youth mobility program between Canada and Poland.

TheCanadian Defence Attaché Sectioncovers military liaison between Canada and Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

See also

• Canada–Poland relations
• Foreign relations of Canada
• Foreign relations of Poland
• Polish Canadians
• Diplomatic Missions of Canada

External links

• Official website
• Canada-Polska Connection Facebook Page
• Virtual Tour of the Embassy Building
• Canadian Heads of Post to Poland
• WZMH Architects
• ABSTRAKT Studio Architecture/Voytek Gorczynski
• Canada-Poland bilateral relations
• Polish embassy in Ottawa
• The Visa Section at the Embassy of Canada to Poland
• The Trade Section at the Embassy of Canada to Poland
• The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service
• The Consular Section at the Embassy of Canada to Poland
• The Political, Economic, Cultural, Academic & Public Affairs Section at the Embassy of Canada to Poland
• International Experience Canada
• The Canadian Defence Attaché Section at the Embassy of Canada to Poland