Address by the President of the Republic of Poland, Aleksander Kwasniewski at the Grand Turkish National Assembly, Ankara, April 14th, 2000

Right and Honourable Mr Speaker, Right and Honourable Deputies, Ladies and Gentelmen,
I am honoured to have the possibility to speak at the Grand Turkish National Assembly. I see in it a distinct evidence of interest in Poland and its role in the contemporary European order, and also a symbol of cordial ties between the Republic of Poland and the Republic of Turkey. Here, in Ankara, in the Turkish Parliament, I would like to convey very warm greetings that Poland and Poles direct to You all, to our Turkish friends and allies. I cordially greet parliamentarians from the Group of Polish-Turkish Friendship and thank you for the contribution to the cooperation of our countries.

Ladies and Gentelmen,
We live at the time when a new international alignment is formed. Breakthrough changes are sweeping across Europe, though perhaps not all processes take place at a rate as intensive as we would like it to be. In the year 2000, however, the core of the European construction that will become the reality of the new century is clear to see. A community of countries, people and different cultures is emerging; a community of democratic values and a free market covering the area from the Mediterranean Sea to Scandinavia, and from the Atlantic to the Black Sea. Formation of this community within the extending European Union is a process still stretched between facts and vision. However, a bird's eye view of Europe, a reflection on European history - the old and the most recent one - substantiates a statement that European unity is not only our task, but also our destiny. At least if we wish to outline optimistic scenarios. It would be hard to imagine stable, secure and prosperous Europe; Europe able to meet the challenges of the 21st century if the border of the European Union is too slowly to move eastwards. Europe, if it is not to go through upheavals and divisions, is doomed to unity and joint success.

In this integration process a great role is also played by the North Atlantic Alliance. Throughout the forty years of its history, in the post-Yalta period of divisions and confrontation it first of all played a defensive and stabilizing role. Very essential in that process was the contribution of Turkey, both politically and militarily. With the breakthrough year of 1989, with the historic changes in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, NATO faced new challenges. A real chance emerged to overcome the Yaltan division of Europe, to extend the area of joint security, stabilization, respect for democratic values. This chance was created by the achievements of Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary. Poland started changes in the region and became their leader. Ever since we re-established democracy and the rule of law, aspirations to join NATO have been something obvious for us - an element of the Polish state policy, expression of will of whole society and all counting political forces. Seeing in the Alliance a community of values which in all our historical tradition we regarded as our own, we simply wished to return where our place was. The fact that the Alliance read our intentions right, that it used the historic chance to reverse the Yaltan disruption - became a great success of democratic Europe. For already over a year Poland has been a member of NATO; it is an ally of Turkey. Together we have successfully passed a difficult test of the dramatic events in Kosovo. Our military cooperation is close and very intensive.

Standing in front of the Great Turkish National Assembly, I wish also on behalf of Poland to deeply thank for the ratification decision that You Honourable Deputies made in October 1998 and for the whole Turkish support that we experienced in the process of our accession to NATO. Poland knows how to appreciate this proof of understanding and friendship on the part of Turkey. We know that it was also a proof of generosity, responsible and far-sighted strategic thinking, rising above other issues of European politics, which evoke bitterness and impatience in Turkey. We appreciate this Turkish gesture of solidarity all the more. Also all the more are we glad about our alliance.

Poland maintains that NATO cannot evade developing a mission allocated to it by contemporary history. The Euroatlantic area of security, stability and democracy needs to be extended; the "open doors policy" needs to be continued and filled with content. What links Poland and Turkey is the similarity of geographic location on the borderland of the Alliance, and thus also a similarity of experiences and sensitivity in reading the challenges. Poland trusts that there will be a time in the future when we shall be able to say "yes" to the process of extending the Aliance by other countries which will meet the conditions of membership. Poland is convinced that it will happen and be beneficial for the whole Europe.

Ladies and Gentelmen,
The partnership of Poland and Turkey is not a fruit of recent years, it is inscribed in the history of our countries. This year we shall celebrate two prominent anniversaries - the seven hundred years of the Turkish statehood within the Ottoman Empire and one thousand years since Poland joined the sphere of Western European civilization. If we look into the depth of the past centuries, we are greatly impressed by the fact that our diplomatic relations count already nearly 600 years. The first Polish envoys visited Turkey in 1414. The first treaty of alliance was concluded by our countries in 1533. For three centuries Poland and Turkey had a common border.
Historically speaking it needs to be admitted that our contacts were sometimes also marked by rivalry and struggle. And yet - a specific phenomenon in itself - a thread of mutual fascination developed between us. Respect for the art of warfare and curiosity of the differences on both sides helped to develop knowledge and led to mutual mingling of our cultures.
We shall also never forget that when tragic times came for Poland in Turkey we found an ally and a friend. In 1768 Turkey stood in defense of Poland's independence. When our country did not exist on the map of Europe, how spirit-raising - like a sign of hope - was a question traditionally asked in the Sublime Porte: Has the envoy from Lechistan already arrived? In Turkey Polish emigrants found their refuge and second homeland. A contribution of one of them, Konstanty Borzecki - Mustapha Jelalettin Pasha, in the history of the Turkish state was particularly positive. We are also linked by a figure of the great Polish poet, Adam Mickiewicz, a settlement of Polonezkoy near Istambul remains a symbol of our cordial ties. The words of a 19th century outstanding political activist, Adam Czartoryski: "Turks are a nation which knows us Poles best. Turks know the value of Poland and support it from the heart" sound like an epitome of our frienship.

Right and Honourable Deputies,
Polish-Turkish partnership gained particular content in the 20th century. When Poland regained independence, and Turkey, having made a pro-European choice, started to move along the road of reforms introduced by a great man, Mustapha Kemal Ataturk - we reestablished our bilateral ties. Today, while remembering the whole richness of the common heritage, we are writing a new chapter. A very promising one and of key importance.

Allow me, Ladies and Gentelmen, in these brief words to bring closer to you the contemporary image of Poland and our position in the international arena.
As I have already mentioned, the wave of changes that swept Central and Eastern Europe, began exactly in Poland. First it was the upheaval of the "Polish August" of 1980, and then the unprecedented agreement of the authorities of that time and opposition at the "round table" in 1989 opening the way to fundamental reforms. Today Poland is a country of consolidated democracy and rule of law. We are a civil society thanks to strong local governments, controlling role of free media towards public life, activity of non-government organizations. We are a country of economic success, great civilisational changes that raise the standard of living. Consistent economic reforms and the entrepreneurial spirit result in high growth, one of the highest in Europe, lasting for seven years now. Our achievements, a 40-million market, central position in Europe became an encouragement for foreign investors who invested nearly 40 billion dollars in our country.

Poland, through its civilisational background, feels as a part of the Western community. Our closest partners are the United States, and Germany and France with which we cooperate within the Weimar Triangle, and also the United Kingsom, Italy and other countries of the European Union. For two years we have been negotiating with the Union the conditions of our membership. We have been consistently approximating our law to the Union law and reforming the big sectors of our economy, such as the power sector and mining. We want to be ready for membership in the Union towards the end of 2002. The second wing of our foreign policy are good neighbourly relations with the East and intensive regional cooperation. The Vishekhrad group and the free trade zone called CEFTA are a forum of our close cooperation with the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. We have developed model relations with Lithuania, and close relations with Latvia and Estonia. With Ukraine we are linked by strategic partnership.We attach great importance to the development of cooperation with Russia and we wish it success in the process of democratization, consolidation of the state structures and economic reform. We are interested in joining the links of regional cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe, in building an extensive area of cooperation from the Baltic Sea through Central Europe to the Black Sea, Caucasus and the Caspian Sea.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Poland and Turkey are today closer to each other than ever before. Next to partnership in NATO, also very promising is the development of our mutual cooperation. Close is the cooperation of parliaments, dynamic the activity of the Senior Level Consultative Committee. Active on the Polish market are Turkish entrepreneurs, and a particular symbol of this became the building in Warsaw of the "Reform Plaza" Office and Trading Centre. Major prospects are seen in cooperation in mining and the power sector, shipbuilding and defense industries, extension of the transport infrastructure. We may also sizeably enhance our trade exchange. Each year Turkey is visited by about 60 thousand Polish tourists. We give ourselves a lot in the world of science and culture. An especially spectacular event was the exhibition of treasures of Turkish art from Polish collections presented a year ago in Ankara, and now in Warsaw. Poland has great recognition for the contribution of Turkey to European order. Over the recent decades Turkey has been the guardian of security of democratic Europe along the southeastern flank. It prevented and alleviated conflicts in a region full of tension. Europe has never been let down by pro-European Turkey. I would like to assure you of Poland's high appreciation and gratitude to Turkey for the attitude it has shown. Poland and Turkey play in today's Europe the role of pivots and pillars of stability. Looking both from the regional perspective and of the whole continent, it might be said that we produce and at the same time export stability. We also contribute to civilisational progress. We both belong to the OECD, we are classified as one of the best world markets in terms of growth prospects. We provide an example, inspiration for our neighbours who may draw premises from our experiences and successes for their strategic choices, for reform-oriented activities. We play a role of political and civilisational bridges. Poland - between West and East; Turkey - between Europe and Asia. It is hard to imagine Europe not being able to appreciate this fact. Poland accepted with satisfaction the Helsinki decision inviting Turkey to the group of candidates to the European Union and opening the prospect for accession negotiations. It is a sign of a certain breakthrough, act of facing the strategic vision of European unity.
Today's Europe needs an integrating perspective that will define the tasks and dates. "A virus of egoism" may prove to be a threat. Everybody has its problems. Poland has them, Turkey has them too; countries of the European Union and the Union itself have them as well. But the necessity to solve one's problems cannot provide justification for slowing down the rate of integration. Reluctance to changes, extending the period of transition do not serve Europe well. Concern over the cohesion of the European Union is also our concern - its future members. However, also the feel of the extent of the European project, its historic dimension, its mission is needed.
The most profound meaning of a community is best described by a word "solidarity". Solidarity is necessary among members of a community and should also emanate outside. European solidarity should cover all who work towards the goal of implementing the idea of European unity. This work does not only mean the historic achievements of the European Union, but also the efforts of all countries and nations outside the Union which cause that today's Europe is a continent where there is more security, more democracy, more development. Poland and Turkey belong to the leading group of such countries. The opening new century will bring us the fulfillment of our aspirations. We believe in Europe. We are needed by Europe.