"The 20th anniversary of Poland's membership in the European Union is a success for Polish men and women," Regional Policy Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz said on Tuesday at a press conference introducing the new campaign.
"No other society or country in our region has managed to capitalize on its presence in the European Union as effectively as Poles have," she added.
She told reporters that Polish entrepreneurs have "conquered" the EU market, with the country's exports increasing sixfold and exceeding imports to the EU by nearly EUR 80 billion annually.
Pełczyńska-Nałęcz also commended food producers for their "substantial contribution to this success," noting their “huge role” in the process.
Furthermore, Polish municipalities have actively participated in the EU's development agenda, carrying out some 300,000 projects over the past two decades, according to Pełczyńska-Nałęcz.
These initiatives have been instrumental in driving progress and fostering regional development across Poland, she said.
Since it joined the European bloc in 2004, Poland has received significant financial support from the EU, totaling EUR 261 billion, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
Meanwhile, Poland has paid EUR 85.8 billion into EU coffers over the past two decades, Pełczyńska-Nałęcz said, adding that "the net balance is EUR 175 billion in Poland's favor."
Pełczyńska-Nałęcz told reporters: "This is an impressive effort, an impressive grassroots activity by local government officials, local activists and others."
She announced that, to mark the country’s 20 years since its accession to the bloc, her Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy would coordinate a public awareness campaign called "Good to Be Together: 20 Years of Poland in the European Union."
Deputy Regional Policy Minister Jan Szyszko said: "We want to talk about the track record of Poland's membership in the European Union."
He told the press conference: "The success of these 20 years is measured by the improved quality of life in Poland, reflected in the success stories of individual people and businesses."
The campaign will feature more than 1,000 events throughout Poland, according to officials.
Details can be found here.
(jh/gs)
Source: IAR