Warsaw Voice - Not as Black as Painted

By W.Ż.
6 September 2006

Jarosław Kaczyński went to Brussels on his first official foreign visit as prime minister Aug. 30. The one-day trip was first and foremost an opportunity to calm the anxieties swirling around many EU countries concerning the ruling coalition in Poland. He told reporters in Brussels that Poland would remain a democratic country that believes in the market economy. He also maintained that the political and economic changes he was introducing would ultimately "remove hindrances to development."

The first meeting between Kaczyński and European Commission President Jose Manual Barroso (both pictured above) was, they both admitted, an occasion to dispel their mutual doubts and fears.

"The meeting was very good," said Kaczyński following the talks. "Leaving the conversation, I feel reassured, encouraged, and above all confident in the conviction that I have always had. Today, it has been reinforced that in supporting Poland's accession to the EU, we made the right decision. Our place is in Europe," said Kaczyński.

He said that his government would do everything to make the most of the chances afforded by its EU membership. He "joyfully" received Barroso's statement that all EU members were equals. Kaczyński added that Poland wanted "to constructively participate" in the discussion about the future of the Europe. He gave assurances that Poland did not avoid the debate on the EU constitution. While not submitting it for ratification in its present shape, as it was known that the document would be rejected, Kaczyński stressed that Poland expected amendments to the constitution, though he gave no specifics.

"We had a friendly and sincere exchange. Prime Minister Kaczyński was outspoken on sensitive issues, from a ban on discrimination and the issue of capital punishment to central bank independence," said Barroso after the meeting. "Poland is of great importance for the implementation of the European project, and at the same time the EU is important for the prosperity and future of Poland. We want to maintain our previous, good relations with Jarosław Kaczyński's Cabinet. Barroso added that the head of the Polish government invited him to visit Poland on Oct. 13.

Kaczyński said that his conversation with Barroso also touched on concrete issues, such as the founding of a state-of-the-art hi-tech center in Wrocław. Kaczyński added that Poland would send Brussels the text of the government's resolution on public assistance to the shipyard sector, responding to the demands of the European Commission. Barroso declared a readiness for further talks on the issue.

"Thank you for clarifying the sensitive issues," said President of the European Parliament Josep Borrell to Kaczyński. "Poland is an interesting subject in the European Parliament. I would be glad to hear your comments on the various questions that stimulated especially heated debates, such as the death penalty and gay rights in Poland."

Representatives of the left at the EP were less enthusiastic. "Prime Minister Kaczyński will never be a partner with the European Socialists," said Martin Schulz, the EP's Socialist group leader. "[Kaczyński's] government represents all that we are fighting against," Schulz added. The European Socialists is the second largest group in the European Parliament. Its members include Polish EuroMPs from the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), Polish Social Democracy (SDPL) and the Labor Union (UP).

Foreign journalists asked Kaczyński about the controversial issues recently discussed in the Polish and European media, including homophobia and anti-Semitism in Poland. "I ask you not to believe in the myth of an anti-Semitic, xenophobic and homophobic Poland," Kaczyński appealed, inviting everybody to visit Poland. He argued that the problem of homophobia in Poland is "somewhat invented," as homosexuals enjoy full rights. "In Poland, there is no tradition of persecuting people who have different sexual preferences. The Polish Criminal Code decriminalized this kind of behavior back in 1932, much earlier than in many other European countries," said Kaczyński, at the same time rejecting the accusations concerning alleged anti-Semitism.

Referring to the question of anti-Semitic statements aired by the radical Catholic Radio Maryja, Kaczyński said that the radio station has an "interactive" format, so most of these statements come from the listeners rather than reflecting the views of the radio station.
In Brussels, Kaczyński also met with Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt. The two discussed issues including cooperation between the Benelux and Visegrad countries. Verhofstadt addressed the great weight he attached to his country's cooperation with Poland, the largest of the "new" EU members.

As both Poland and Belgium have sent military contingents to Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the prime ministers agreed that they would exchange germane information and experiences. They also touched upon the Israeli-Lebanese conflict. They expressed satisfaction that the EU and the United States had similar views concerning the issue. Kaczyński also asked Verhofstadt for his support of Wrocław's bid to host Expo 2012. Verhofstadt promised to support the Polish PM's request.

During his stay in Brussels, Kaczyński also had meetings with representatives from the Polish expatriate community, as well as war veterans. Kaczyński spoke of, among other things, the idea of the EU as "a team of nations engaging in lasting and institutionalized cooperation with one another, thoroughly coordinating their actions in various fields."