During a two-day trip to New York, where he met with new UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Waszczykowski revealed his itinerary for the rest of the trip.
To the confusion of observers, the Foreign Minister revealed that his plans include a meeting with "San Escobar," a country which does not exist.
"We've got the opportunity to hold almost 20 meetings with different ministers. With some (countries), for example in the Caribbean, perhaps for the first time in the history of our diplomacy. For example, countries like Belize or San Escobar," Waszczykowski said, Polsat News reported.
"Each of these countries has one vote in the UN General Assembly," he explained.
There are ten non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, five of which are elected each year by the 193 members of the UN General Assembly. The seats are distributed on a regional basis, and the members serve a two-year term. In June, the General Assembly will vote on the Security Council members for the following two years.
Following the surprise announcement, news about San Escobar was quick to spread across social networks, as well as the hashtag #SanEscobar.
#SanEscobar reported to be loved by millions in Poland. https://t.co/yMShRdN4f4
— San Escobar (@rpdsanescobar) January 10, 2017
¡Dziękujemy, przyjaciele!
The #SanEscobar hashtag reached 1.4 million internet users and was tweeted 1,400 times.
A spokesperson for the Polish Foreign Ministry explained that Waszczykowski had made a slip of the tongue, and had had a different Caribbean country in mind.
#SanEscobar to przejęzyczenie. Min. #Waszczykowski miał na myśli rozmowę z min. SZ San Cristobal y Nieves na szczycie UE-CELAC 25-26.10
— Rzecznik Prasowy MSZ (@Rzecznik_MSZ) January 10, 2017
"#SanEscobar was a slip of the tongue. Minister Waszczykowski was referring to a conversation with the Foreign Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis at the EU-CELAC summit 25-25.10."
"We already know where Minister Waszczykowski is choosing to vacation this year."
Min.Waszczykowski spotykając się z przedstawicielami państw, które nie istnieją, znacznie mniej niż zwykle szkodzi Polsce. #SanEscobar
— Tomasz Siemoniak (@TomaszSiemoniak) January 10, 2017
"Minister Waszczykowski is meeting with representatives of countries that don't exist, a great deal less harm to Poland than usual," wrote former Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak.
Waszczykowski can take comfort from the response of San Escobar. The new nation has its own Twitter account, where it expressed support for Poland's UN Security Council bid.
After talks with FM #Waszczykowski the People's Democratic Republic of #SanEscobar fully supports Poland's candidacy to the Security Council
— San Escobar (@rpdsanescobar) January 10, 2017
