Robert Schuman’s original idea of a united Europe, which was based on dialogue, consensus and cooperation, is the best thing to happen to this continent in a thousand years – emphasized in an interview with PAP PiS member Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, one of the key negotiators on Poland’s accession to the EU in 2004
The overall balance of Poland’s EU membership is nevertheless positive. Entering the EU and benefiting from (its) market and funds is an advantage
– noted the politician.
However, he argued that we should not ignore issues that could be different or better.
During the association and accession negotiations we were allowed to believe that accession to the EU would take place in 2000. This promise was not kept. We could also gain faster access to the common market, including the labor market. Long transition periods were not necessary and the financial package could have been more generous. The administrative reform of (then British Commissioner) Neil Kinnock resulted in civil servants from the new Member States being structurally disadvantaged in terms of career opportunities, and to this day the institutions remain geographically unrepresentative, especially at higher levels. These are just some elements of the negative balance
– Saryusz-Wolski listed.
He pointed to “Brussels doubts about Polish democracy” as the issue that caused his most serious reservations.
The United Right camp has been denied the right to govern since 2015, despite its unquestionable democratic legitimacy. Financial blackmail and political pressure from Brussels contributed to this – the question is whether they determined this? – to change the government in Poland. This is an unprecedented situation
– said the PiS member.
According to him, the EU of 2004 and the EU of 2024 are two different international organizations.
“Since we started association talks, the EU has changed radically. The first breakthrough was the Maastricht Treaty of 1992. This was followed by the departure of the Nice voting system and the division into over-represented and under-represented Member States. The third phase is the transformation of the European Commission from a neutral institution, from the guardian of the treaties, to a biased political player led by Jean-Claude Juncker,” said Saryusz-Wolski.
In short: the EU has abandoned, circumvented or violated the treaties and is invading the powers of the Member States. Now he wants to seal it with a new treaty, which will effectively turn the EU into a super state and relegate nation states to the role of regions. Meanwhile, Poland is attached to the Union of which it has become a member
– he assessed.
I have a memory that is emblematic. On May 1, 2004, I stood on the Grand Place in Brussels. The square was filled with crowds of people. The mayor of Brussels came on stage and sang: “Europe, Europe, Europe.” However, the audience, in my opinion, was 80 percent Poles, he replied: “Poland, Poland, Poland.” We cannot imagine Europe without a sovereign, fully independent Poland
– added the MEP.
The strategic importance of Poland
He also emphasized that Poland should remain in the EU because this is in its strategic interest.
but in the Union, which has as many powers as the Member States want to grant it. A Union that is managed collegially and fairly by everyone, and not by a French-German duopoly. It’s as if in the US Texas and California run the entire country and the other states had no say. Poland joined the Community, which was based on dialogue, consensus and cooperation, and now the paradigm of force, imposition and coercion reigns. And this makes some sense, because the decision-making process is transferred from the level of nation states, where – for better or worse – democracy works, to the level of unelected institutions with chronic democratic deficits.
– emphasized the politician.
He added that “it is in Poland’s interest to save the EU,” which he believes can be achieved by “restoring the strict application and interpretation of the treaties.”
Schuman’s original idea of Europe is the best thing to happen to this continent in a thousand years. Selfishness and the desire to create an empire in the form of Prussia and subordinate states are the greatest threat to the EU, as it threatens to burst.
– warned Saryusz-Wolski.
When asked who deserves the greatest credit for bringing the Republic of Poland into the Community, he replied: “When we talk about accession today, many people admit to being responsible for this success. I was Minister for European Affairs for eight years and can therefore say with some authority that all political forces of the day participated in the process. And everyone has done their part.”
However, there is no doubt that Solidarity governments have implemented more than 80 percent of the measures. work. However, the left wing, whose term of office was the accession itself, the rest. However, arguing about who has how much merit is not serious. Accession to the Union meant, among other things, the result of agreement between the divisions. Something that does not exist today, and that is why we are in trouble in the EU
– concluded the PiS member of the European Parliament.
mly/PAP
Source: wPolityce