We are destined for greatness; In today's conditions, this size means authentic sovereignty wherever possible, said Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the European Forum for New Ideas (EFNI) in Sopot. You cannot sacrifice your own safety in the name of beautiful ideas, he added.
On Friday, during the last day of the European Forum for New Ideas, the Prime Minister delivered a speech entitled: “War or Peace”. During his speech, Tusk said that Poland is the best place to live for decent people, and we Poles “are doomed to greatness.”
According to him, this greatness in today's conditions means authentic sovereignty “wherever possible.”
– I'm not talking about a huge territory, I'm not talking about some stupid ambitions or expansion, it would never have occurred to me at all, but I'm talking about the size of the essence of what we are and who we can be in the future – Tusk clarified.
The Prime Minister also stated that the war in Ukraine has clearly shown Poland and Europe that they cannot sacrifice their own security or their own production and defense capabilities in the name of beautiful ideas.
– You have to find a balance everywhere, you have to re-set the hierarchy of priorities sensibly and with iron consistency. Safe development. Where possible and necessary – autonomy and sovereignty. This is needed both nationally and continentally, he said. (PAP)
Prime Minister: We need to build new trust with Ukraine
I would like us to treat Ukraine as an ally, taking into account our most vital national and individual interests, said Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Friday in Sopot. He added that leaders on both sides must engage in building a “new type of trust” between Poland and Ukraine.
In his Friday speech during the 14th European Forum for New Ideas (EFNI) in Sopot, the head of government admitted that “we must understand all those in Poland who are afraid, because migration always creates tensions and problems.” – Our job is not to convince people that nothing disturbing is happening here. We must understand this anxiety and, in a sense, share it in order to relieve the worst emotions and take away weapons and tools from those who want to turn it into a political platform and, in the end, a misfortune and a political catastrophe, Tusk said.
Therefore – as he pointed out – there is a need for respect for Ukrainians who work in Poland. – And let's not be ashamed of it and expect respect and recognition from Ukraine, from Ukrainian leaders and Ukrainian citizens, because we proportionally gave the most of ourselves, because we also have an interest in ensuring that Ukraine does not succumb to Russia – Tusk said.
– I would like us to treat Ukraine as an ally, not in a naive and sentimental way, but taking into account our most vital national and individual interests – emphasized the Prime Minister.
As he pointed out, “today, political leaders on both sides, both in Kiev and Warsaw, but also people, associations, non-governmental organizations, and moral authorities on both sides, must get involved in building a new type of trust and respect of Ukrainians for Poles and Poles for Ukrainians.” – This is an absolutely no-alternative project of Polish-Ukrainian friendship – he said.
– I will also talk about this with the leaders of Ukraine – Tusk announced. He added that in recent days he has been talking “with people who will help prepare such actions that will restore to Ukrainians and Poles the belief that our solidarity and cooperation is in the interest of all Poles and Ukrainians.”
The head of government also said that currently “Ukraine shows that those who are right do not have to be weak, they can be strong.” – There is no more beautiful image in politics, a bit like in old Westerns, than this synthesis of strength and morality. This is the most beautiful image in politics and I would very much like, whether it is economic life, political life, culture, defense of borders, for us to restore everyone's faith in the fact that ethics, morality and goodness can work together with strength, determination and toughness when we need to defend us and these values, Tusk said. (PAP)
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