Yurttas
Journal Entry 7/28/2014
We are in Poznan, Poland, today. We are going to
stay in Poznan only one day. Year 2014 is a special year for Poland. It is the
25th anniversary of Poland's independence after the collapse of Warsaw Pact in
1989, the 15th anniversary of joining NATO, and also the 10th anniversary of
joining EU. July 28, 2014, also marks the 100th year anniversary of the
beginning of World War I (1914-1918).
Poland like Turkey is in the center of the East and the West but gradually moving towards the West. Poles believe that they are in the Eastern periphery of the Western World and want to play a role in defending the Western ideals and civilization. Germany and Poland have had peaceful coexistence for centuries except during World War II and have reconciled their differences after the collapse of the Warsaw Pact.
Poles feel that they belong to the West, but they also love their neighbors, the Russian society and their culture. Both Russians and Poles have experienced state oppression in the past. Poles consider the USA as one of their best allies in the West. After the collapse of communism in Poland, Poles had two main objectives in the foreign policy area: Joining NATO and EU. Both are accomplished today. As a result of these accomplishments, Poland has had access to the Europian funds and demonstrated economic growth.
New infrastructure such as airports, railroads, highways have been built and Poland became more visible and influential in the world. GDP per capita has increased from 48% in 2003 to 68% in 2013 after joining EU. Unemployment has gone down from 20% in 2003 to 13% in 2013. Exports and foreign investments in Poland have tripled from 2003 to 2014. Poland sees Ukraine as an important potential economic partner and therefore wants a democratic Ukraine and feels that the problems in Ukraine may spill over to Poland. Integration of Poland to EU has been a story of success.
Poland like Turkey is in the center of the East and the West but gradually moving towards the West. Poles believe that they are in the Eastern periphery of the Western World and want to play a role in defending the Western ideals and civilization. Germany and Poland have had peaceful coexistence for centuries except during World War II and have reconciled their differences after the collapse of the Warsaw Pact.
Poles feel that they belong to the West, but they also love their neighbors, the Russian society and their culture. Both Russians and Poles have experienced state oppression in the past. Poles consider the USA as one of their best allies in the West. After the collapse of communism in Poland, Poles had two main objectives in the foreign policy area: Joining NATO and EU. Both are accomplished today. As a result of these accomplishments, Poland has had access to the Europian funds and demonstrated economic growth.
New infrastructure such as airports, railroads, highways have been built and Poland became more visible and influential in the world. GDP per capita has increased from 48% in 2003 to 68% in 2013 after joining EU. Unemployment has gone down from 20% in 2003 to 13% in 2013. Exports and foreign investments in Poland have tripled from 2003 to 2014. Poland sees Ukraine as an important potential economic partner and therefore wants a democratic Ukraine and feels that the problems in Ukraine may spill over to Poland. Integration of Poland to EU has been a story of success.
No comments:
Post a Comment