Parliamentary Assembly

Mr President, Mr Secretary General, ladies and gentlemen, may I first cordially thank you for your welcome and for offering me the opportunity to place before you some of the issues of concern to us, both as Poles and as members of the European family.

The Council of Europe was the first western European organisation to welcome into its ranks the new democracies of central and eastern Europe. This was a courageous decision, and its effects have been considerable. Poland greatly appreciates the support and assistance provided by the Council of Europe in the construction of a modem democratic state, the creation of democratic institutions and the consolidation of the rule of law. We are satisfied with the development of contacts between Poland and the Council of Europe both at governmental and parliamentary levels. The two visits to Warsaw this year by Mr Miguel-Angel Martinez, President of the Parliamentary Assembly, and the official visit by the Secretary General are just a few examples of these contacts which we hold in high esteem.

The equal-footing co-operation which typifies inter-state relations at the Council of Europe allows for greater understanding of each state’s problems and needs, especially in the case of states which have embarked upon the tough road of political and economic transformation. Europe will need this understanding and effective co-operation, which is based on that understanding if it is to become a stable area of democracy and free market economics, and if we are to plan the new system of relations with all the consequences that history has taught us.

For five years, Poland has successfully, albeit not without problems, carried out a programme of far-reaching changes and created a system based on democracy, human rights, the rule of law and market economics. The reforms are still on a steady course despite changes of parliaments and governments as a result of democratic elections. We can be satisfied with the results of the reform process; they are outstanding. Democratic processes have stabilised and the market imposes its rules on the country’s economy. Basic institutions that allow the market’s machinery to operate effectively have been set up. Inflation is under control and is visibly reducing. The private sector is dominant and accounts for much of the gross national product and most new jobs. We want Poland to become increasingly attractive to foreign capital.

We have seen sharp economic growth. In 1993, the gross national product rose by 4 % and industrial production rose by over 8% at a time when the growth rate in Europe as a whole was much lower. That means that Poland has become one of the European states with the fastest rates of economic development. The same trends are being maintained in the economy this year and in some areas such as industry, investment and exports the growth rate is significantly higher even than last year’s figure. In the last seven months, industrial production has risen by 11,2%. These results have been made possible by Polish society’s firm resolve despite the hardship due to the reforms. High unemployment and lower real incomes are only two of the negative phenomena to be tackled. It is much harder to change people’s habits than economic principles. We should therefore attach particular importance to changes of mentality, now that more and more Poles are already reaping the benefits of the positive effects of the reforms. These reforms can be effective only if society accepts them.

I must say it again: the course of reforms in Poland is irreversible, although at times their speed may depend on society’s willingness to accept the occasional hardship which they may bring about.

We often say – and quite rightly – that peace in Europe is indivisible. But we should place equal stress on the notion that peace and development in Europe are interdependent.

The construction of democratic institutions is not only a matter of producing a new political picture of Europe or creating the right conditions for harmonious Europe-wide co-operation but of building stability throughout our continent.

By supporting change, we are helping the continent’s security. We all share the risks of a collapse of the process of change. It is no longer possible to fence off areas of instability or conflict with new impervious frontiers.

Development in our region is the key to Europe’s future. We are paying particular attention to the progress of reforms in our eastern neighbours. We ought to be co-operating closely with them and, as far as possible, lending them considerable support and assistance. We feel that this can be underpinned by holding out definite prospects of accession to the Council of Europe in the near future. We are pleased that the Council of Europe is still demonstrating courage and not being deflected from its objective of allowing the larger states of eastern Europe to join the Organisation. This is an important and historic task; it will restore Europe’s true frontiers. But the Organisation will have to adapt to its new tasks and find new methods of conducting its activity, taking into consideration the scale and size of its future members’ needs. The Council of Europe will have to fight any erosion of its existing standards.

We are working together to create a new European reality founded on a lost notion refound, a community of ideals and values. Instead of artificial divides, we are forging political, economic and human links, in an awareness of a common future.

Poland is not only banking on future co-operation; my country is also doing its part to help build this new Europe.

We are especially concerned with our near neighbours, and have signed bilateral treaties with them all to establish, among other things, the inviolability of our frontiers and systems to protect minority groups. We see these treaties as a giant step forward for all Poles, Germans, Belorussians, Lithuanians, Russians, Slovaks, Czechs and Ukrainians. We are aware of the importance of these treaties for the stability of the whole region, a part of Europe to which history has been so cruel.

We are developing transfrontalier co-operation, including Euro-regional co-operation, on an unprecedented scale. We are making our contribution to regional co-operation in central Europe, as well as co-operation within the Council of Baltic States. We are also active participants in the Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

At the same time, the idea of a united Europe which inspired the founding fathers of the Council of Europe is, for us, more relevant than ever. We Poles have a tradition of openness towards other cultures and have always been an element of European civilisation. For reasons beyond our control, we were cut off from our historical roots. That is why the ideal of reintegration with the west is so important for us, politically and economically speaking, and in terms of civilisation; it is a top priority for us. Given the eagerness displayed by the Polish people, Poland has no choice but to join all western organisations and find a lasting place in the system of relations set up by western European countries. We are against any new divisions in Europe. We reject Poland’s role as “the east of the west” as well as that of “the west of the east”. We are unswervingly set on the process which will combine eastern and western Europe into a single entity.

We would like to see the implementation of the principles of the indivisibility of security in the whole of Europe and even beyond – the whole Euro-Atlantic area.

We consider that the simplest way to achieve an undivided Europe is to enlarge the tried and tested structures – the North Atlantic Alliance and the European Union. Such an enlargement does not create new divisions but eliminates old ones. To Poland, accession to the European Union means not only strengthening the democratic changes, consolidating the transformation of the system and speeding up economic development, but above all expressing self-determination. We consider the enlargement of Nato as one factor in adapting this organisation to the new situations and relations in Europe.

I would again stress that the aspiration to accede to that organisation does not stem from a feeling of danger. It is not directed against any particular state.

Strengthening Poland’s links with west European and transatlantic institutions will provide measurable benefits not only for Poland but also for Europe: it will reinforce security and extend the area of stability. At the same time we are aware that accession to the European Union and Nato do not exclusively involve advantages. Accession to these organisations will force us actively to participate in their joint activities and efforts. We are ready to make these undertakings.

We can understand the difficulty of adapting to change in the very short term, especially if the change is as fundamental as the defeat of communism and the end of the cold war. These changes have come about spontaneously, independently of existing structures. This partly explains the difficulties in adapting the European institutions. Nevertheless, we would like these institutions, which have played a key role in developing the western half of the continent, to become instruments gradually taking in the whole of Europe. In fact, this is the only alternative.

The Polish economy is already, largely spontaneously, integrating into the economy of the European Union as a result of the natural economic tendencies of both areas. This is further proof of the theory that nature abhors economic or political vacuums. Another natural tendency is towards co-operation with Nato in security. We are glad that such cooperation is coming increasingly to the forefront. The Nato programme “Partnership for Peace” not only creates a new reality but also reflects existing needs. We are hoping to benefit actively from the prospects which it creates and to initiate practical military cooperation with Nato states. The first joint military exercises recently conducted in my country with the participation of thirteen states from Nato and eastern Europe, including armed forces which until recently confronted each other in a divided Europe, are a symbol of the birth of a new Europe and bear witness to the depth and, we believe, the irreversibility of the changes in our region.

In the course of these changes, at the level not only of separate nations but of the whole continent, the Council of Europe has a special role to play. It can restore the real meaning of “Europe”. Now that the standards have been established, it should allow all the peoples of Europe to become actively involved in effective co-operation.

Poland welcomes and supports the action taken by this Organisation to adapt to a changing international environment. The protection of human rights and minorities, the construction of demographic systems, and cultural and educational matters are basic factors in a stable national and world order. I hope that the Council’s spring encounters held last May in Warsaw were also a step in this direction.

We are in favour of developing programmes embracing various countries and their societies, and eliminating obstacles to integration. One of the most urgent tasks facing Europe is to solve the economic problems in central and eastern Europe. It is vital that western states show imagination when contributing to the transformation process. We shall be unable to overcome our difficulties without the influx of more foreign capital and investment. We would urge you to act together for the benefit of us all. Progress in the change process and the consolidation of democracy and the market economy in central and eastern Europe are historic challenges for all Europeans. Their success or failure will determine our continents’ future for decades to come. We need a plan, a strategy for joint action. This strategy should help promote economic growth and reduce the social cost of transforming the system, and ensure internal stability and external security for the states undergoing transformation. If Europe is to take up these new challenges it needs such a strategy.

At the Vienna Summit the Council of Europe adopted the Declaration and Action Plan on the Combating of Racism, Xenophobia, Anti-Semitism and Intolerance and pinpointed as key challenges the resurgence of aggressive nationalism and inadequate protection of the rights of minorities, challenges which contemporary Europe must take up. We must continue to be equally courageous in our approach, as courage is what is still needed. With your joint efforts, parliamentarians from East and West, you can and must create a new form for the old continent.

In the knowledge that all states are interdependent and equal in rights, let us work to create the conditions for sustainable growth throughout Europe. New forms of co-operation are needed. International relations must be rid of the “givers and takers” philosophy. The weakness of current programmes derives from the dissipation of resources, the inadequacy of co-ordination in their use and the lack of a joint strategy. Further subsisting concerns are the growth of protectionism and the erection of new barriers, which to us mean further deterioration in our unfavourable economic situation. Let us move on from mere words about European co-operation to a Europe which is aware of its true common identity, a Europe marked by mutual understanding and broad co-operation.

Thank you for your attention.