President of Poland (2010-2015) Bronisław Komorowski on achievements, challenges and prospects of the European dimension of the Polish-Ukrainian strategic partnership

“There are no neighbours whose relations have always worked out well. Most often the relationships between neighbouring countries are burdened by history. However, there are neighbours who have overcome the negative experience in order to follow the path of reconciliation, cooperation, friendship and integration,” claimed the President of Poland (2010-2015 gg.), Doctor Honoris Causa of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv Bronisław Komorowski in his speech at the Conference on Strategic Partnership in Times of Crisis held at Lviv University on December 2, 2016.

Bronisław Komorowski pointed out that the postwar Franco-German reconciliation was a striking example of a mutual understanding between states, which eventually led to integration processes all over Europe and, as a result, to the creation of the EU. The Polish politician considers reconciliation and further cooperation between Poland and Germany in 1989-1990 an equally important factor of the unity of the European countries. Bronisław Komorowski contended that it was in the context of further European unification and the prospect of the Eastern enlargement of the EU that Ukrainian-Polish relations should be considered those days.

According to President Komorowski, at the dawn of its independence in 1989 the Republic of Poland not only clearly declared its pro-Western aspirations, but it also supported the neighbouring countries in pursuit of freedom, including the ones that were part of the Soviet Union. Therefore, the recognition of Ukraine’s independence in 1991, argued Doctor Honoris Causa of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, accurately reflected the strategic vision and national interests of Poland.

“Of course, after economic, political and moral bankruptcy of its former system Poland had to focus on overcoming its own shortcomings, on political, economic and social reforms, as well as on our own security and on the path to stability and Western institutions – NATO and the EU. We managed to achieve the targets at the expense of considerable sacrifices, due to work and efforts of the entire nation and its leaders. It was not easy. But we managed to do it,”  said Bronisław Komorowski.

According to the politician, in the period of active transformations in Poland a lot of people were convinced that other countries of the former Eastern Bloc would also be able to reform the whole system of government and integrate into European structures. “That is why Poland has supported the independence of Ukraine and the Ukrainian dream of a path to the West for 27 years since it gained its own freedom. I have always thought contentedly that Polish success adds up to faith and strength of Ukraine, and it enables this country to use our positive and negative experience,” Bronislaw Komorowski argued.

The President also noted that the long-term support of Ukraine on the part of Poland was caused by the most important reason – national security of Poland and Europe in general.

Reflecting on the European integration of our state, Bronisław Komorowski emphasized that Poland could actively support pro-Western aspirations of Ukraine only if Ukraine itself clearly defined its strategic political objectives. The speaker noted that the collapse of the official recognition of a pro-European line and the failure of the EU summit in Vilnius were a trial for the EU-Ukraine relations.

However, the Euromaidan Revolution, which broke out three years ago, the subsequent Russian aggression in Crimea and Donbas region meant a new phase of continuing support of Ukraine on the part of Poland. “We have supported Ukraine in the conflict with Russia politically. We support reforms, the implementation of which will inevitably open a path to Europe for Ukraine,” Bronisław Komorowski declared.

In addition, the honoured guest outlined new steps in Ukrainian-Polish relations in the context of contemporary geopolitical trends, pointing out that over the past year the political climate in Europe had changed for the worse.

“Now we see the growth of populist, nationalist, authoritarian tendencies, escalating domestic policy and self-interest in foreign policies of many countries. The West is going through various crises – from the one in economic policy (Brexit) to taking part in military conflicts in the Middle East. Furthermore, both in Europe and in the US the influence of pro-Russian politicians is becoming stronger” Doctor Honoris Causa of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv pointed out.

In conclusion, Bronislaw Komorowski said, “We need to strengthen the community of the Western world, including NATO and the EU. In addition, it is necessary to strengthen our states, their agriculture, army, to deepen cooperation in the region, good neighborly relations, as well as morality and the position of civil society. This is a basis for successful and fruitful cooperation between countries.”