Poland » International Relations

The Poland's Relations with International Community

Poland joined the EU on 1 May 2004. The public voted in favour of accession in the referendum held on 8 June with 77% of the vote on a turnout of 59% of the electorate.

It was during the Prime Minister's visit to Poland in October 2000 that he suggested in a speech in the Polish Stock Exchange, that 2004 be the target date for Enlargement of the European Union. Poland joined NATO on 12 March 1999 and plays an active part in UN affairs and peacekeeping missions. It played a solid role in Kosovo, and supported the invocation of Article V in response to the terrorist attacks on the US.

Poland aims to use its strong relations with its eastern neighbours to form a bridge between West and East, between the EU and Ukraine and Russia. The development of good relations with Ukraine and Belarus is an important part of Poland’s foreign policy.

This has been borne out most strikingly during the recent Ukrainian election crisis, during which President Kwasniewski played a vital role in contributing to a final outcome that was both peaceful and democratic.

More generally, the Poles have strong interests in promoting economic growth, civil society and good government in the cross-border area. The UK sponsors Polish NGOs to deliver assistance projects in these areas and engages in trilateral meetings with the Poles and Ukrainians.

Trade and Investment with UK

Two-way trade exceeded £3bn in 2004. Poland is the UK’s largest export market in central Europe. The UK is the sixth largest foreign investor in Poland after 1990.