Poland's accession to the European Union is one of the most important events in the history of our country. Despite a difficult past, we have shown tremendous determination to become part of the European community.  

“The country we have built over time became an essential part of an entire political civilisation of the West. We became a part of Europe in the broadest sense of the word. I do not mean geography. What I mean is Polish security, better lives for Polish citizens that improve with each passing year, despite the various twists and turns. I mean fundamental values - freedom, human dignity and the rule of law. This is Europe. Poland has become the heart of Europe, and since 15 October the whole world has been looking at us with pride - sometimes even envy - that Poland has succeeded in confirming that it is a part of the West,” Prime Minister Donald Tusk pointed out in a special statement.  

Our hard work, including the wise choices made by Poles on 15 October, means that we no longer need to look to the West with envy.  

The great conflict faced by the world today is best described in terms of geography. On the one side, there is the East - Russia and its war, its poverty, its contempt for every human being, a corrupt and aggressive state. We have always kept the history in our hearts. We remember this division between the East, from which we wanted to escape, and the West, which we were striving for," Donald Tusk pointed out.  

The 20th anniversary of Poland's accession to the EU coincides with a special moment in Europe’s history, as the entire European community is focusing on security matters.

“We have become a strong state and a wise nation. Provoking a war is easy. The difficult part is to avoid it and defend one’s homeland from war and from the threats. Today, we hold an important position in Europe and in the West, no one will dare to attack Poland - as long as we do not squander this opportunity,” the Prime Minister pointed out.

Donald Tusk also underscored that Poland’s membership in the EU should not be a foregone conclusion and that Poland needs to ensure its place in Europe and in NATO.  

“I would like every Pole to understand this. Never before in the world’s history has the security of an entire continent depended on Poland to such a large extent. We can either take care of our security, the unity of Europe and the North Atlantic Alliance, or watch it fall apart. Everything is in our hands," said the Prime Minister.  

The elections to the European Parliament are ahead of us. Despite the distance between Brussels and Poland, this will be one of the most important elections in our country's post-war history.  

“As the well-known saying goes, if you want peace, get ready for war. Today, I am deeply convinced that if we want peace, we need to get ready for the elections. Poland's privilege lies in the fact that in order to ensure our safety and protect ourselves from what Russia has wrought in Ukraine, we do not need to go to the front today. On the other hand, we need to protect Poland and Europe from those who undermine the European Union from the outside or from within, as well as those who undermine our independence and the value of the North Atlantic Alliance. You know whom I am talking about," the Prime Minister added. 

The European elections will decide our security.

“You need to keep in mind a simple fact - if those, who are beholden to Putin and Russia win in Europe, the beautiful Polish dream of a safe, value-driven and free Poland that treats all humans with dignity, the dream of Polish prosperity, and the ever-improving living situation, may suddenly come to an end. It is up to us," Donald Tusk explained.

In the aftermath of the 2004 accession, Poland’s development and growth accelerated. Our membership in the European Union has had a positive impact on the daily lives of Poles, thanks to numerous investments, as well as other measures.  

“I do not like celebrations and anniversaries; however, our two decades in the EU can be expressed in concrete figures. Today, Poland’s income per capita is five times higher than before joining the EU. Our exports to other EU Member States is six times greater than when we joined the EU,” the Prime Minister added.  

The government is actively working to ensure more funding for Poland. Thanks to the efforts to restore rule of law in Poland, the country has recently received the largest single transfer in the history of its membership in the EU, amounting to 27 billion PLN. 

Poland will invest these funds in ensuring high-speed broadband internet access, improved transportation system and new nurseries. In total, Poland is slated to receive €137 billion, or about 600 billion PLN. 

Poland’s position within the West hinges mostly upon its rule of law.

“When we are talking about Poland in the West, we need to keep in mind the responsibility of politicians for their actions. Yesterday, I requested a meeting with the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice, as well as the Minister for Coordinating Special Services, explaining this obvious social need,” the Prime Minister informed.  

The Prime Minister has once again announced that all crimes and abuses of power of the previous government will be held to account.  

“The Attorney General’s office is now independent of political pressure - it will not work at the whims of any politicians, even the Prime Minister. I want to assure you that these cases are investigated. In fact, the prosecutor's office has so much work to do at the moment with cases from before 15 October that they may need a little more time. However, holding politicians accountable is one of the cornerstones of the Western world,” the Prime Minister asserted.  

Mr. Tusk alluded to the urgent matter that is seen as crucial to the security of the state, the issue of losses worth billions and possible links of the former CEO of Orlen to Hezbollah.