Polish and US troops take part in the so-called Defender-Europe 20 joint military exercise at Drawsko Pomorskie training grounds in Poland on June 17, 2020. (PHOTO / AFP)

WARSAW - A contingent of 200 US troops permanently based in Poland will form the core of the US military presence in the country, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak announced on Tuesday after meeting US Army Chief of Staff James McConville in Krakow in southern Poland.

Combined with other units that will rotate in the European country, the total number of American soldiers will increase by 1,000 to around 5,500

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They discussed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, a legal framework for the stationing of US troops in Poland. The deal was politically agreed upon by the two countries on July 30 and will be signed soon, according to the Polish Defence Ministry.

The core of the agreement consists of the opening of a base in Poland -- expected in 2021 -- for the 5th Corps of the US Army. Combined with other units that will rotate in the European country, the total number of American soldiers will increase by 1,000 to around 5,500.

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"This decision is the crowning achievement of our efforts to increase the presence of US troops in Poland," Blaszczak said during a press conference.