Publication date: May 20, 2025
The Treaty on Enhanced Cooperation and Friendship between the Republic of Poland and the French Republic was drawn up on May 9, 2025 in Nancy. This document was concluded to respond to the key challenges of contemporary Europe – it supplements the missing regulations in the field of defense and dual-use technologies. They can also be used in areas such as cybersecurity, the reconstruction of Ukraine and counteracting the migration and climate crisis. The European Union focuses mainly on economic matters, which is why Poland and France decided to conclude their own, broader agreement, which also covers security, defense and technologies.
Throughout the document, references can be found to EU plans and projects, such as IPCEI (Projects of Common European Interest) – industrial projects in the field of microprocessors, artificial intelligence or cloud computing – and to the declarations of the EU summits in Budapest and Versailles. This means that the Polish-French Treaty is not a competition for the European Union, but its complement and support.
CYBERSECURITY
The Treaty of Enhanced Cooperation and Friendship between Poland and France recognizes cyberspace as one of the key areas of security, on a par with traditional domains such as land, sea, air and outer space. Article 4, paragraph 6, clearly states that joint defense projects cover five equal domains – including cyberspace as a separate, strategic area of military and technological activities. This indicates a modern approach to security that takes into account the challenges of the 21st century, including hybrid threats and attacks using digital means.
Further provisions, contained in Article 4, paragraph 11, emphasize that cybersecurity has both a political, civilian and military dimension. Poland and France commit to joint action to strengthen cooperation in this area, especially in the context of:
This is particularly important given the growing threats from third countries, which increasingly use cyberattacks as part of their policy of aggression and destabilization. Joint defense against such threats requires not only advanced technological capabilities, but also effective legal and organizational frameworks.
In recent years, cyberattacks have become an integral part of international politics and intelligence activities of some countries. Russia, China, Iran and North Korea have repeatedly used cyberspace to attack public administration systems or steal citizens’ data, military information and economic secrets. Such activities threaten not only the security of states, but also the everyday lives of citizens. Switching off the power grid, blocking the work of hospitals or paralyzing communications in a crisis situation can have dramatic social and economic consequences.
Therefore, cooperation between Poland and France in this area includes not only joint security of military command systems, but also strengthening the entire country’s resistance to digital threats. In practice, this means cooperation between experts in responding to incidents, or organizing joint exercises and training for the army, state and civilian services. In connection with this, Poland and France emphasize the need for close cooperation in this area not only between themselves, but also within NATO, the EU and the European Political Community.
According to Article 4, Section 6, cooperation between Polish and French forces is to be based primarily on the development of joint projects based on research and development of new technologies – including dual-use technologies. Dual-use products are products that, including software and technology, can be used for both civilian and military purposes. The Treaty encourages joint research and development in this area, including in the area of: space reconnaissance and control, digital infrastructure and defence systems based on artificial intelligence. Moreover, the next point of the aforementioned article assumes cooperation between the defence industries of Poland and France in order to use synergies, develop interoperability, increase competitiveness and strengthen national industrial bases and the European Defence Technology and Industrial Dependencies Base (hereinafter referred to as the “EDTIB”). The EDTIB is an EU industrial and technological system that is to ensure Europe’s independence in the production and development of armaments and modern military technologies. It supports innovation, reduces dependence on third countries and develops dual-use technologies.
Article 6(7) refers directly to IPCEI (Important Projects of Common European Interest) projects, which are of particular importance in building European technological independence. IPCEI projects can make a significant contribution to economic development, job creation, green and digital transformation and the competitiveness of the Union’s industry and economy. IPCEIs enable the pooling of knowledge, experience, financial resources and economic actors from across the Union, creating positive effects for the entire Community. They operate on the basis of Article 107(3)(B) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which provides that aid for promoting the implementation of important projects of common European interest or for remedying a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State may be considered compatible with the internal market. Poland and France commit to supporting the participation of their enterprises – including small and medium-sized enterprises – in IPCEI projects in areas such as batteries, microelectronics, communications, cloud computing, healthcare, hydrogen technologies, as well as in industrial initiatives related to the production of equipment necessary for the ecological and digital transformation and to reducing their dependency.
In addition, the Parties declare their commitment to work towards the digital transformation of their societies, building a stable cyberspace and an Internet based on the principles of security, neutrality, openness and indivisibility. They commit to deepening cooperation in innovative and critical technologies for the future of the EU, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, robotics, new energy sources and space technologies, and to work towards better legal regulations for the governance of digital technologies, both within the EU and at international level.
In Article 5(6), the Treaty extends the approach to cybersecurity to include the aspect of justice and policing. This provision emphasises the need to continuously strengthen police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters related to cybercrime. Unlike cyberattacks conducted by third countries for espionage or political purposes, this refers to organised crime and criminal activities on the network, treated in the same way as other serious crimes, such as:
Due to their cross-border scope and the use of complex networks, counteracting these crimes requires close cooperation between police services, prosecutors and courts of different countries. Therefore, the Treaty provides for:
The Polish-French treaty clearly shows that cybersecurity is not only a technical issue today, but also a strategic, social and economic one. Cyberspace has been equated with traditional defense fields. Cooperation is multidimensional – from research and industry, through military operations, to combating cybercrime. Dual-use technologies and participation in IPCEI projects are of key importance here.
REBUILDING UKRAINE
The Polish-French Treaty contains a number of provisions that address the issue of rebuilding Ukraine and supporting it in the context of security, foreign policy, investment and development. Poland and France unanimously recognise that the enlargement of the European Union, and therefore Ukraine’s future membership, is a geostrategic investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity of the entire continent (Article 2, paragraph 6). Both countries undertake to cooperate to ensure that this process is successful, while undertaking the necessary reforms to strengthen the European Union itself. In this context, the reconstruction of Ukraine is seen not only as assistance to a country affected by war, but also as an important element in strengthening the stability of the European security system and political order.
In addition, Poland and France emphasize the strategic importance of the EU’s eastern neighborhood, including Ukraine, for the security of the whole of Europe (Article 3, paragraph 4). In this regard, the countries have committed to jointly developing positions, sharing analyses and promoting their mutual interests in this region, which also has a practical dimension for coordinating actions for the reconstruction of Ukraine, its security and development. In the field of economic cooperation, the Treaty provides that Poland and France will analyze the possibilities of implementing joint investment and development projects in countries affected by conflicts, such as Ukraine, or undergoing a phase of post-conflict reconstruction (Article 6, paragraph 10). This means planning participation in infrastructure, energy, social or economic projects on the territory of Ukraine after the end of hostilities.
In terms of security, both countries undertake to continue bilateral and multilateral cooperation for international peace and security (Article 4, paragraph 1). Poland and France emphasize the importance of transatlantic relations, cooperation within NATO and the EU, and the need to strengthen European defense capabilities. In the context of Ukraine’s reconstruction, this means ensuring stable, secure conditions for its reconstruction, protection against future threats, and inclusion in European security structures.
In addition, the Treaty provides for cooperation in joint exercises, missions and military operations in regions of strategic importance to both countries, which in practice also includes Ukraine and the eastern flank of NATO (Article 4, paragraph 5). Joint military operations and exchange of experiences between Poland and France are aimed not only at strengthening the security of these regions, but also at providing stabilization support and protection for areas undergoing reconstruction after the conflict.
TRANSPORT CYBERSECURITY
The Treaty on Enhanced Cooperation and Friendship between the Republic of Poland and the French Republic emphasizes that modern transport cannot function without effective protection of its IT systems. In Article 8 on mobility and transport infrastructure, Poland and France committed to cooperation to strengthen cybersecurity in the transport sector at the bilateral level, in the European Union and within broad international initiatives.
Modern transport increasingly relies on automated management systems, digital traffic control networks, passenger reservation and service systems, and modern logistics applications. Such systems are becoming a natural target for cyberattacks, which can be carried out by both organized criminal groups and third-country services that use cyberspace for destabilization activities and political blackmail. Therefore, the Treaty provides that Poland and France will jointly develop legal and technical solutions that will effectively protect digital transport systems. Both countries have committed to exchanging experiences and good practices in protecting IT networks used in transport and to implementing modern tools that strengthen resistance to cyber threats.
Particular emphasis was placed on the need to cooperate in the protection of modern technologies used in transport, such as automated control systems, electric vehicle charging stations and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. Both countries also recognise the importance of joint projects, training, exercises and coordination of activities at the European level, so that the entire transport sector in the EU is protected according to uniform and high standards. Joint actions by Poland and France aim to increase the resilience of European transport to cyberattacks, ensure the security of passenger and carrier data and protect the continuity of transport networks during crises and conflicts. This is an important element in building a safe, modern and resistant to digital threats transport infrastructure in Europe.
MIGRATION AND CLIMATE CRISIS
The Treaty on Enhanced Cooperation and Friendship between the Republic of Poland and the French Republic addresses the migration and climate crisis indirectly, through provisions concerning both migration policy and climate and environmental protection.
In Article 5 of the Treaty, the Parties undertake to cooperate in the implementation and development of the Union’s migration and asylum policy, in accordance with the principles set out in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Particular emphasis is placed on the need to protect the external borders of the European Union and to counter threats related to illegal migration, including the use of migration as a tool for hybrid actions. The Treaty also provides for the development of cooperation with third countries, based on mutually beneficial partnerships, as an element of the external dimension of migration policy. Although the text does not directly refer to climate change as one of the causes of migration, the document recognizes the need for a holistic and strategic approach to managing population flows.
Issues related to climate and environmental protection are more broadly covered in Article 7. The Parties declare joint actions to implement international climate commitments, including the Paris Agreement to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, as well as transformation towards climate-neutral economies. Particular emphasis is placed on the need to adapt to climate change, increase territorial resilience to its effects and support the ecological transformation of cities and regions. These actions are aimed at counteracting the negative effects of climate change, which is one of the key causes of forced migration of people on a global scale. In addition, the Treaty also addresses the issue of energy and civil nuclear cooperation (Article 9). The Parties set the reduction of emissions of their economies and industries as a priority.
REFERENCE TO EU ACTS
According to Article 6(4), the parties will strive to reduce the EU’s strategic dependence in sectors defined as sensitive in the Versailles Declaration adopted on 10-11 March 2022. Among the main assumptions of this declaration is the provision to increase the defence capabilities of EU countries. In this regard, it was planned to increase investments in innovative technologies and improve the quality of these investments. The planned investments were to include digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, cloud and the implementation of 5G networks in Europe and beyond.
The Treaty states that both Poland and France have decided to actively implement the New Deal for European Competitiveness, in line with the conclusions of the European Council of 18 April 2024 and the Budapest Summit Declaration of 8 November 2024 (Article 6(2)). The Budapest Declaration is an action plan to strengthen the competitiveness of the European Union in the face of global economic, geopolitical and demographic challenges.
The main assumptions of the declaration include:
The Budapest Declaration is a continuation of previous initiatives, such as the Versailles and Grenada Declarations, and is part of the EU’s strategic agenda for 2024-2029. It underlines the need for decisive and joint action to increase the competitiveness, innovation and resilience of the European economy.
OTHER AREAS
The Treaty places clear emphasis on joint action within the European Union, particularly in relation to the security, sovereignty and cohesion of the Community (Article 2 and Article 3). Both parties declare their readiness for deeper political, economic and strategic cooperation in the EU forum, with particular emphasis on the security pillar. This cooperation includes both actions to strengthen the European pillar of NATO and the development of common political instruments within the EU. A special role has been assigned to the Weimar Triangle format (Poland-France-Germany), as an important tool for coordinating positions and consultations on current and strategic EU and international issues.
The treaty also clearly indicates the prioritization of Central and Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans as key regions of interest in the foreign policy of both countries. The parties declare the coordination of analyses, the establishment of common positions and the promotion of mutual interests in these areas.
The Republic of Poland and the French Republic, pursuant to Article 6 of the Treaty, also declare that they will strive to implement European economic and budgetary governance in order to ensure the stability of public finances with the need for investment. They will also strive to improve the global competitiveness of EU entrepreneurs and the resilience of European economies.