Speaking at the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) in Warsaw, this morning (Friday), Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe TD, said membership of the EU has driven strong relations between Poland and Ireland in the past and will continue to do so in the future (see full speech below).
Minister Donohoe is in Warsaw to meet with the Minister for European Affairs, Piotr Serafin, and the Minister for Infrastructure and Development, Zbigniew Rynasiewicz. He will also meet with Irish members of the business community in Poland, as well as giving an address to the leading, independent think-tank, PISM.
"EU membership has driven the strengthening of relations between Ireland and Poland since Poland became a member, under Ireland's presidency of the Council of the European Union, in 2004.
"At that time, Ireland was one of just three EU members to open its borders and welcome Polish workers, who came to build their future in Ireland. Since then, 350,000 Poles have lived and worked in Ireland, with an estimated 150,000 currently calling it home today.
"The shared agenda between our two countries, driven by membership of the Union, is based on an appreciation of the economic, social and political advantages of deepening the freedoms inherent in it.
This includes:
- Deepening the Single Market, with particular focus on the digital and services sector;
- Working to use current Treaties to strengthen the operation of the EU;
- Constructive engagement on the Energy and Climate Change proposals;
- Strong implementation of Eurozone governance mechanisms to deliver a strong and secure single currency zone to facilitate Polish membership.