EN
The article is an attempt to evaluate Poland’s role as a country that initiates and executes the European Union’s policy towards Eastern Europe. The starting point of the discussion is a presentation of the nature and evolution of the EU’s Eastern Policy, taking into account its definition, main objectives, genesis, as well as the geographical location and time frame. It has also been pointed out that this policy constitutes the Eastern component of a broader structure: the European Neighbourhood Policy, divided into strategic partnership with Russia and a new element, established on the initiative of the Polish diplomacy, called the Eastern partnership. Against this background, the author analyses the role of the Polish diplomacy, for whom active participation in the EU’s Eastern Policy is one of the key elements necessary for safeguarding Polish national interest. In this context, the author presents the main Polish political and diplomatic initiatives and undertakings in this regard. The articles culminates with a brief attempt to evaluate the achievements and shortcomings of Poland’s engagement in shaping the EU’s Eastern Policy.