PM tells Poles in televised address to be strong
Donald Tusk, the prime minister, has said in a televised message on the anniversary of Poland joining the EU and on the eve of the National Flag Day that the Polish people must be strong and should not feel afraid even though the times are difficult.
"Uncertainty, brutality and egoism have returned to the world politics. War is no longer an abstract idea," Tusk said in his address on Thursday evening.
"Does this mean that we will once again be deprived of our Polish dream?," Tusk asked and stated that the Polish people should not feel afraid and that they had to be strong.
The prime minister said that Poland "has now been investing billions in armaments and infrastructure," and declared that "Poland has never before had such an army which is being created now and which is super strong and very modern."
"This is an army which is being built to win," he said.
Tusk stated that Poland was a country with a thousand-year-long history and that the point was to make it a regional superpower.
"The strongest economy, the strongest armed forces and the strongest voice in Europe. This requires courage, strength and capability," Tusk said, praising Poland's potential.
"And we know how to make use of this potential, and we know what to do," he continued, adding that Poland would develop its industry, science and new technologies.
Referring to Poland's position in Europe, Tusk said that Poland enjoyed respect and was being listened to. "Nothing significant can be decided upon in Europe without Poland," Tusk said.
He also announced plans to launch economic diplomacy and declared that the state would be a patron of the expansion of Polish business, Polish exports and Polish economic interests abroad.
Poland joined the European Union on May 1, 2004. The National Flag day is observed on May 2 while the 234th anniversary of May 3rd Constitution, a historic document considered first modern constitution in Europe and second in the world, is observed on May 3. (PAP)
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