MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –
Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.
The event was organized by the Jerzy Szmajdziński Foundation and the Military Academy of Land Forces. Among those invited to discuss the Alliance were, among others, former President of the Republic of Poland Aleksander Kwaśniewski – Chairman of the Council of the J. Szmajdziński Foundation, Ambajador Dr. Piotr Ogrodziński – President of the Board of the Confederation of Ambassadors of the Republic of Poland and the Rector of the Military Academy of Land Forces, Lieutenant General Dr. Marek Tomaszycki. Among the invited guests were also representatives of military units, universities and institutions, as well as local government authorities, as well as students of uniformed classes. During the meeting, for the efforts made for Poland’s accession to NATO, former President of the Republic of Poland Aleksander Kwaśniewski received a commemorative plaque from the Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of National Defense Stanisław Wziątek. – At that time, various concepts of ensuring Poland’s security clashed. Fortunately, the view of the need to join the North Atlantic Alliance prevailed (…) With hindsight, we can all see that the decisions taken at that time were not only effective, but above all the right ones – Aleksander Kwaśniewski emphasized in his speech, emphasizing the important role of the Alliance. Deputy Minister S. Wziątek, recalling the issues of negotiations at various levels of state authority, expressed pride in the fact that it was possible to reach an agreement at that time. – We would not be so strong if we had not managed to rise above the divisions. If it were not for the common concern of the then government, who unanimously chose the Polish raison d’état as the highest goal – said the deputy minister. The deputy head of the Ministry of National Defense also emphasized the important role of the ongoing modernization of the Polish army. – We are not strong to go to war, but so that no one attacks us. This is what deterrence policy is all about. During the meeting, conference participants answered questions about, among other things, the changes that have taken place in the 25 years since Poland joined the structures of the North Atlantic Alliance, the course of accession negotiations, cooperation with other countries for the sake of joining NATO and the prospects for further development of NATO structures. ***On July 25, 12 March 1999, we opened a new chapter in the history of Polish security. The status of a member of the North Atlantic Alliance remains one of the main pillars of Polish and European security policy. Article 5 of the Washington Treaty is a guarantee of our security, as well as the foundation of the Alliance’s deterrence force. For soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces, the 25 years of Poland’s presence in NATO have been a time of intensive service, dynamic development and building a strong position in NATO.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.