Poland

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POLAND

Introduction Giving Poland accounts for roughly half of Central Europe's population and half its GDP and also joined the NATO and EU in the recently year, it’s actor in the international stage is becoming more important and effective, especially in the European world.

General Information About Poland -------------------------------------P.2

-Policy Of Poland -----------------------------------------------------P.2

-Economic Of Poland -------------------------------------------------P.2

-Political Condition Of Poland ------------------------------------P.3-4

Relationships with international organization ----------------------- P.5

-With European Union-----------------------------------------------P.5-7

-With North Atlantic Treaty Organization ------------------------P.7-8

-With United Nation -------------------------------------------------P.9

-With World Trade Organization -----------------------------------P.9

Relationships with three great powers ----------------------------------P.10

-With Russia -----------------------------------------------------------P.10

-With US -----------------------------------------------------------P.11-13

-With China ------------------------------------------------------------P.13

Conclusion --------------------------------------------------------------------P.14

General information about Poland Poland is a medium-sized country with an area of 332,500 km2, the ninth largest country in Europe. With the capital Warsaw, it is the central part of the European continent. To the west, Poland has a border with Germany, to the south with the Czech Republic and Slovakia, while to the east and northeast with Ukraine and Russia. Today the population of Poland is approximately 38.7 million people that make it the 29th most populated country in the world and the 8th in Europe. Poland is one most homogenous country in Europe. The official language is Polish. Policy of Poland The recent president Lech Kaczynski is a member of the party – Law And Justice. It is a conservative political party. In foreign affairs President Kaczynski noted that, strenghtening ties with USA while continuing to develop relations within EU are two main goals of Polish foreign affairs while at the same time improving relations with France and Germany would also be sought, despite several problems in relations with Germany. Outside those issues the main tasks would be developing a visible shape of strategic partnership with Ukraine and greater cooperation with Baltic states. Economy of Poland Poland has steadfastly pursued a policy of economic liberalization throughout the 1990s with mixed results. The privatization of small and medium state-owned companies and a liberal law on establishing new firms has encouraged the development of the private business sector, which has been the main drive for Poland's economic growth, account for over two-thirds of GDP. Strong economic growth potential, a large domestic market, EU membership, and a high level of political stability are the top reasons U.S. and other foreign companies do business in Poland.

Political condition of Poland The recent President of Poland is Lech Kaczynski, the Prime Minister is Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz. Poland is a democratic republic. Its current constitution dates from 1997. The government structure consists of a council of ministers led by a Prime Minister, typically chosen from the majority coalition in legislature’s lower house Sejm. The president, elected every five years for no more than two terms, is the head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The judicial branch plays a minor role in decision-making. In April 2001, changes were made, which the liquidation of a national list with all deputies was elected by voters in electoral districts, and introduction of a new method of calculating seats. The law stipulated that with the exception of guaranteed seats for small ethnic parties, only parties receiving at least 5% of the total vote could enter parliament. The Republic of Poland in the early 1990s made great progress toward achieving a fully democratic government and a market economy. But in the past, Polish experienced a time of Communist party domination regime by Soviet Party. Over the time of strike, in 1980, workers signed agreements with the government to end their strike. The key provision of these agreements was the guarantee of the workers' right to form independent trade unions and the right to strike. After that, a new national union movement--"Solidarity"--swept Poland. But at that time, Defense Minister Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski was assumed the position of Prime Minister, in 1981, he declared martial law, under which the army were used to crush the union. The United States and other Western countries responded to martial law by imposing economic sanctions against the Polish regime and against the Soviet Union. However, the Polish regime rescinded martial law. Independent publications were censored and unrest in Poland continued for several years thereafter. A new series, the "roundtable" talks, began in February 1989. These talks produced an agreement in April for partly open National Assembly elections. The roundtable agreement called for a communist president, and on July 19, the National Assembly, with the support of some Solidarity deputies, elected General Jaruzelski to that office. However, two attempts by the communists to form governments failed. No sooner, Sejm voted approval of Prime Minister Mazowiecki and his cabinet. For the first time in more than 40 years, Poland had a government led by non-communists. In October 1990, the constitution was amended to curtail the President Jaruzelski. In December, Lech Walesa became the first popularly elected President of Poland.

Relationships with international organization POLAND is the big cheese of central Europe, accounting for roughly half its population and half its GDP. In additional to the very aggressive character of Poland, which European Commission officials, speaking anonymously, describe Polish officials as "difficult to learn to deal with"..."extremely stubborn"..."very aggressive on their national interests"..."the ones who will argue the most", according to a report by a lobbying company, Burson Marsteller, make a growing position of Poland in the Europe. European Union Poland has been a member state of the European Union since May 1, 2004 . To get this membership, a long stuggle have been made by Poland since it initiated the reform of its political system and economy in 1989. We first look at the road that Poland to be a full member of EU:

Already in 1989 Poland signed the agreement for trade and trade co-operation with the (then) European Community (EC), which at that time was preparing for its transformation into the European Union (EU), initiated Poland's process of European integration. In December 1991 the Polish government signed the Europe Agreement, which established an associate relationship between the EC and the Republic of Poland. The agreement included resolutions on political dialogue, obligations related to the narrowing of the gap between the association states and EC legislative models, as well as guidelines governing co-operation in the area of culture. It is of vital importance to Poland, since after 8 years of the trade-related elements of the European Agreement in force, that is 2000, more than two-thirds of Poland's imports come from the 15 EU members states and Poland's exports to EU turnover has also increased which Poland become the ninth largest supplier of goods to the EU market and the fourth largest recipient of EU goods.

Though some achievements have already been made, Poland was still not a membership of EU that the EU only confirmed, "Poland's end-goal is membership of the Community, and association status will help it achieve this." However, that was the start of Poland’s efforts to gain recognition as a potential partner in future discussions. By 1994, Poland officially applies for EU membership, and after competing a questionnaire necessary to prepare an opinion on Poland's application for EU membership, negotiations concerning Poland's EU membership begin in 1998. After four years and nine months of negotiations, Poland completes its talks on joining the EU, which in 7 June 2003, in a referendum on Poland's accession to the EU, 77.45 percent of voters support integration, while 22.55 percent are against. Turnout is 58.85 percent, making the referendum valid. Finally, 1 May 2004, Poland became a full member of the EU.

It is an arduous road for Poland to formally enter EU, to what extent Poland and also other countries to do so? What national interest can it earn? And what costs have been paid?

Though Poland is growing rapidly, it stills a very poor country. It is the first aim for Poland to boost the economic, especially the employment rate, And that entering the EU, superficially could get this purpose. The actual benefit such as: all barrier from taxes would be abolished making products and services of Poland more easily to transport to the EU market, raising the grade of Poland in the World e.t.c. would provide chance for Poland to access to a large and attractive sales market and cause a significant rise in GDP. Despite economic benefit, the membership also cited political benefits, which is greater political significance in the world and widened security sphere.

Poland will not be alone in dealing with its problems anymore. It will have the opportunity to benefit from the EU's support. However, it should not forget that it would need to contribute to costs, which will be an additional strain on the resources of the Polish budget and its economic agents who must adjust to the new provisions.

Germany is the main payer into the EU budget, which imply that EU members may somehow regulate by Germany. Since the present chancellor, Gerhard Schroder, unlike his predecessor, did put a European interest first, Germany is starting to behave more as the EU's other big countries do, putting the national interest first while proclaiming the European one. Germany will make new demands on the EU budget and that as it less inclined to give a helping hand, Poland will have to work all the harder for what it gets within the EU. So far, Poland's politicians have been offering voters a worryingly short-term view of EU membership, talking as though the success or failure of it should be measured by the net quantities of quick cash Poland can get from the EU budget in farming subsidies and regional development funds. In additional to Poland is breaking European Union rules by holding up a giant bank merger recently, which EU officials warned that it could jeopardize Poland's eventual membership of the euro, the membership of Poland seem so insecure and lowered it diplomatic actor. Relations with NATO Poland became a full member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in March 1999 as part of the first wave of enlargement outlined at the July 1997 NATO Summit in Madrid. Poland's top national security goal is to further integrate with NATO and other west European defense, economic, and political institutions while modernizing and reorganizing its military. Polish military doctrine reflects the same defense posture as its Alliance partners. Poland maintains a sizable armed force and relies on military conscription for the majority of its personnel strength. All males (with some exceptions) are subject to a 12-month term of military service. Poland continues to be a regional leader in support and participation in the NATO Partnership for Peace Program and has actively engaged most of its neighbors and other regional actors to build stable foundations for future European security arrangements. The past few years of NATO membership prove that Poland’s interests within the organization should be seen by the close interrelationship between politics, defense and economy. Upon acquiring membership, the Alliance has been one of the primary instruments for Poland of to ensure security and defense. Poland's fully-fledged member status determines to a considerable degree the activities within the framework of other international organizations. The participation in NATO also ensures that their efforts in the field of national defense and security produce a better cost-effective ratio than if they acted on their own. NATO membership strengthens Poland's security and external position and widens its room of manipulate in international politics. While being a safe and stable country, protected by a reliable allied system, Poland is also becoming a more attractive economic partner for the potential investors. Poland continue relying on NATO as a stabilizer of its international environment and reliable protector should the need arise. To keep up such an organization, Poland is prepared to take up certain burdens and repay the guarantees received from NATO. On the other hand, being closely associated with the main lines of NATO evolution, ways of pursuing Polish interests are evolving as well. To achieve political interest of Poland in NATO, the first element is to participate in decision-making processes and to shape allied actions in accordance with Polish foreign and security policy, and in the ways that help consolidate NATO as a collective defense Alliance. The second is a provision of a material, political, military and intellectual input conducive to fulfill the mentioned function. And the third one is to carry out the reform processes within the state in order to build up the essential capabilities to meet the membership duty as well as to define in a credible way the Polish position regarding work conducted by the Alliance. Poland seem fail to consider the economic aspect, but in fact, it is always cause by the overshadowing of political issues or those of collective defense. NATO membership creates primarily chances for Polish companies. It improves conditions for the expansion of Polish firms onto the markets of the member states and for fostering international contacts. Also, as a NATO member, Poland has gained access to the specialized agencies offering defense services at lower costs than on the free market. Apart from immediate advantages and financial benefits, NATO, as Poland's security guarantor, enhances its image as a stable, predictable and reliable state showing respect for human rights standards, democracy and the free market. In its present shape NATO constitutes a significant potential, which a medium-sized country, such as Poland, can successfully use to strengthen its international standing, this clearly calls for both active participation at its forum and relevant decisions at home designed to pursue this goal.

Relations with United Nation Poland had been a member of the United Nation since 24 Oct 1945. In 2006, Poland became a member of Economic and Social Council of UN. Poland has been cooperating with UN to strike at drug-related problems, human right problems including the trafficking of human beings, the illegal migrations. Being the member of UN, Poland may get help and work with other countries. Relations with WTO Poland has been a member of World Trade Organization since 1 July 1995. As of 1 May 2004 it is a member State of the European Union. All 25 member States are WTO members, as is the EU in its own right. Joining WTO ensures Poland the chance to trade with other countries more easily. Major trade and other comprehensive economic reforms have led to a robust performance of the Polish economy. In the 2000 WTO report on the trade policies of Poland says that real GDP in Poland has gone up by one quarter above pre-transition levels and that GDP per capita averaged US$4,000 in 1999.

The relationship with three great powers Russia The relationship between Russia and Poland is extremely bad, which Poles say wryly that their historical mission is to kill Germans for duty and Russians for pleasure and that Russia see Poland (like the Baltic states) is a shrill Russophobe, that is out of line with the rest of the European Union. It is mainly cause of the historical reason, which during World War I all the Allies agreed on the restitution of Poland and Poland regained its independence as the Second Polish Republic (II Rzeczpospolita Polska). However, it was established after a series of military conflicts, like the 1919-1921 Polish-Soviet War. Though the conflicts between Russia and Poland was long ago happened, Russia and Poland still was in a opposing position, even on the face. We can see the case that three Poles--two embassy officials and a journalist--have been beaten up within a week by Russia. This was in retaliation for the mugging of three teenagers, children of Russian diplomats, late at night in Warsaw. It was an echo of cold-war habits, when any perceived harassment of Soviet diplomats abroad was swiftly matched in Moscow. The incident seemed unremarkable but the Russian reaction was extraordinary. An angry President Vladimir Putin went on television to condemn the mugging and the Polish ambassador was summoned to the foreign ministry, which demanded an official apology.

And the latest row is the "diplomatic war" play by Poland and Belarus, which Poland decided to expel a Belarus diplomat after it acknowledged that a Poland embassy was expelled by Belarus in the cause of “unpopular” and interfering in the internal affairs of Belarus civil rights organizations. The so stubborn action that the Belarus President Lukashenko did was actually due to his fear of losing power and fear of the democratic changes in the country will be swept Belarus. We can see how Poles were unpopular in Russia and also the dictatorship of Lukashenko made the situation even worse. But "change is inevitable, whether one year or two years after arrival," Lott said. Relations with United States Over the years, a special relationship evolved between the peoples of Poland and the United States. As official relations between Washington and Warsaw deteriorated after the December 1981 imposition of martial law, the United States maintained communication only with the centers of Polish opposition, including leaders of labor, the intelligentsia, and the Roman Catholic Church. During the 1980s, United States policies of economic sanctions against the regime and support for the opposition contributed to the ultimate fall of the communist government. Immediately after Jaruzelski imposed martial law in 1981, the United States invoked economic sanctions against Poland. In 1982 the United States suspended most-favored-nation trade status and denied Poland's application for membership in the International Monetary Fund. In the following years, Warsaw repeatedly blamed such United States policies for Poland's economic distress. For the period 1981 to 1985, the Polish government claimed that United States policies of economic sanctions, western refusal to reschedule debts, and extend additional credit, had cost the Polish economy US$15 billion in export income and other losses. Despite the end of martial law and limited release of political prisoners in 1983, relations with the United States did not improve. In the mid-1980s, Warsaw's determined efforts to prove its loyalty to the Soviet Union completely stopped the rapprochement with Washington. Jaruzelski delivered a scathing attack against United States sanctions policy in a 1985 speech at the United Nations. After the Jaruzelski government's general amnesty in 1986, releasing all political prisoners, official relations between Washington and Warsaw began to improve. By early 1987, the administration of Ronald W. Reagan lifted all economic sanctions and restored Poland's most-favored-nation trading status. Vice President George H.W. Bush visited Warsaw the following October and promised United States support for debt rescheduling in return for the Polish government's promise to respect human rights. After the Round Table Agreement of mid-1989, the United States moved quickly to encourage democratic processes and assist economic reform in Poland. President Bush initially promised some US$100 million in economic assistance, and a three-year package with a total of US$1 billion was proposed later in the year. In November Walesa visited Washington and addressed a joint session of the United States Congress, which greeted his unprecedented speech with promises of additional economic assistance. The Congress enacted the Support for Eastern European Democracy Act (SEED) to streamline the delivery of humanitarian aid and assistance for the development of democracy and freemarket institutions in post communist Eastern Europe. An interagency coordinating council led by the Department of State was established to direct assistance to Eastern Europe. The United States had led the effort to provide debt relief and other economic assistance to Poland. The privately managed Polish-American Enterprise Fund (PAEF) was created in May 1990 to provide credit for Polish entrepreneurs to start businesses. In early 1991, the United States pledged a further 20 percent reduction of Warsaw's debt to Washington. In a mid-1992 visit to Warsaw, President Bush praised Poland's political and economic reforms and proposed using the currency-stabilization fund to spur private-sector growth. Throughout these years, Poland pays lots of effort to maintain and strengthen the relations with US. During the war with Iraq, Poland was the only European mainland country to contribute combat troops; it now commands one of the four Iraqi reconstruction zones and is a continuing influence on the rebuilding of the Iraqi state. Poland's former President Alexander Kwasniewski had also visited the United States and met with President Bush and other officials in hopes of further strengthening Polish – United States relations. President Lech Kaczyński had also had a face-to-face meeting with U.S. president George Bush recently, he was satisfied with the outcome his first meeting with Mr. Bush. The visit confirmed that Polish-US relations are in a very good shape and that Washington occupies a special place in Polish foreign policy. For the trade between Poland and United States, the United States was Poland’s 16th partner in exports and 10th in imports (GUS). On the other hand Poland was the United States’ 56th partner in exports and 63rd in imports (U.S. Census Bureau). Poland is currently engaged in a government-level dialog with the United States whose purpose is to review current problems and to remove any potential barriers hampering further cooperation. Following Poland’s accession to the European Union on as of May 1, 2004, Poland may continues bilateral economic consultations with the U.S., and actively participates in various meetings of the Transatlantic Dialogue between the United States and the European Union Relation with China Poland got a pretty well relation with China. By 2004, President Hu Jintao held talks with Polish President Alexander Kwasniewski. The two sides exchanged views and the two heads of state signed the Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Poland. The statement confirmed the broad consensus reached by leaders of the two countries and declared the establishment of China-Poland friendly cooperative partnership. This made positive remarks on the progress achieved in recent years in China-Poland relations, which made bilateral national interest.

Conclusion

Though it is a saying that Poland was too aggressive, nevertheless, it is the job of national representatives to defend national interests, which can mean being stubborn and aggressive at times. Poland, though is growing rapidly no matter in political situation in the world, especially in Europe, or in economic situation, it is still a poor country with lack of internal facilities to apply the EU’s law same with others country. Poland absolutely needs help, and thus it actively fights for their interest in those international organizations. The EU can have, at most, some influence in Eastern Europe, and Poland is right to want a big part in deciding how that influence can be used best. Poland must be taken seriously within the EU and keep to be a trusted ally of America. Also, it must prove itself a strong and far-sighted country, not merely a big or a stubborn one. It must champion policies to make all of Europe prosper, and worry less about wheezes for putting cash into its own farmers' pockets. It must raise its game.