Tusk trumpets ten years in EU

Prime Minister Donald Tusk (L) and Deputy Prime Minister Elzbieta Bienkowska (R) at a press conference marking Poland's first ten years in the EU. Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka

“They were ten difficult years, but today we can say with great conviction that they were ten good years for Poland,” he said at a press conference in Warsaw, just a week before the 1 May anniversary.

Tusk took the opportunity to thank his predecessors as well as former presidents who had set Poland on the road to joining the EU, saying that “without their faith” the anniversary would not be being celebrated.

“In a few decades time, the date of 1 May 2004 will be treated as one of the best and most important in the history of our country,” he added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Elzbieta Bienkowska claimed that in capital cities across Europe, locals invariably cite Poland as the greatest success story of the EU expansion.

“I know that there is still a great deal ahead of us,” she said.

“But we have shown in these ten years that we are a hard-working, reliable and honest nation.”

During the conference, Prime Minister Tusk also unveiled a short promotional film highlighting the transformation in the country since the collapse of communism, to the soundtrack of Beatles hit 'Hey Jude'. (nh)

Source: PAP

Watch the new promotional film: