Mark Borowski: Poles must play a part in Europe

From a speech by the Polish parliamentarian to a Chatham House conference on the EU

In joining the European Union, Poland would not like to be a bulwark for an affluent, isolationist Europe. We believe that the gradual involvement of Ukraine in the common economic space is in the unquestionable interest of the EU. It is at the least as important as good co-operation with the Kaliningrad district of the Russian Federation.

A series of challenges will continue to determine the domain of individual and personal choices of the Polish people. We will give many of our best people over to the union, its member states or multinational corporations, in this new emigration – or brain drain. Very many Poles who had opted for freedom have by now already come back home to a free Poland – sometimes with thick wallets, but always with minds full of new ideas. They represent our most precious capital.

For the past 13 years, Poland has been building a state based on the respect for law, civil liberties and economic freedom, which means democracy and market economy. We are braving the challenges of populism, xenophobia, corruption and unemployment. We are building a democratic civil society, upgrading the economy and making civilisational progress. We are moving along this road faster at times, more slowly sometimes, and at times we come to a stop, but the overall balance-sheet is firmly positive.

Poland is knocking on the door of the EU, waiting to hear the sacramental "You are welcome". We hope that these words will be spoken this year. Delaying them would be detrimental to all Europe.

Poland and Britain stood together at a crucial hour for Europe in the Second World War. Another crucial hour for Europe is approaching. We want to believe that our two countries will stand together again.