Georg Weiss, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria in Poland, talks to Marcin Mierzejewski.

At this historic moment, just before European Union enlargement, how do you personally view Polish-Austrian relations?
There are excellent relations and cooperation on all levels. Good examples are recent visits-Polish President Aleksander Kwaśniewski's visit to the Vienna Opera Ball and his talks with Austrian President Thomas Klestil and Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel and the visit of the president of the Austrian National Council (the lower chamber of the Austrian parliament), Dr. Andreas Khol, who was in Poland on April 1-2. Khol met with Sejm Speaker Marek Borowski, Senate Speaker Longin Pastusiak, Prime Minister Leszek Miller and representatives of parliamentary caucuses. So, our relations are very good and, as we expected, they have intensified before Poland's approaching accession to the EU-not only politically, but also economically and culturally-and they will intensify even further after May 1.

Over the past few years, overall trade has consistently grown, even during years of slower economic growth. I would say that Austrian investment in Poland is also quite considerable, especially in the sectors of banking, insurance, and construction. Austrian-Polish economic relations are very successful and we hope that trade will grow tremendously after May 1-especially regarding the exchange of agricultural products, which is more difficult now then it will be after enlargement.

I do not have to talk much about culture, because there have been long-standing and good cultural relations between our countries. Austria has been very active in Poland, especially with the Cultural Forum in Warsaw and the Consulate General and Cultural Forum in Cracow. There are very good honorary consulates in Gdynia, Wrocław and Łódź which support also Austrian cultural events, and several Austrian libraries in big Polish cities, where the Austrian government provides books and information materials. In Warsaw, the Austrian Institute is one of the leading German-language schools; furthermore there is also an Austrian Institute in Cracow and several Austrian lecturers are teaching Austrian literature at Polish universities. This shows that there is a lot going on also in the cultural field.

After May 1, we will also increase our cooperation in the EU in areas of common interest. We will sit together and talk about upcoming items on the agenda of the EU where we have similar interests.

What are traditionally the strongest links between our countries?
I must first mention the strong special sentiments towards Austria in southern Poland. I would say that culture is also a very strong link, and certainly the economy. Even before the change of the system in Poland, Austrian businesses were deeply connected with this country. Austria did in the past much for Poland, for example we slashed half of Poland's debts to our country in the 1990s.

And what connects our countries most is the people. There are now over 10,000 Poles legally working in Austria (this amount equals the population of a small city). Furthermore, nearly 200,000 Poles each year enjoy their holidays in Austria.

Does Austria have any fear of an influx of Polish labor after EU enlargement?
We have nothing to fear. There are many Poles working for Austrian companies here, even as general directors of Polish subsidiaries. We cherish Polish workers, their skills and know-how.

But I know what you are referring to. Austria has always supported the enlargement of the EU, but sometimes people need some time to adapt to a new situation. Now we are at a moment of change, when you have to evaluate the situation and its possible effects. In your country, you also must calculate what will be the reaction of the people to the new circumstances. In politics, you have to take into consideration the situation of the people as well as their emotions. Therefore Austria, as well as Germany and most other current EU member states, asked for an exception regarding the opening of the labor market, which is limited in time. Poland has done the same, asking for 40 transitional periods and got them.