Blair praises Poland: You should be proud

During the Association of Business Service Leaders (ABSL) conference in Krakow, former British prime minister, Tony Blair, stressed that Poland should be proud of what it has achieved in its 25 years of freedom. He also expressed his distaste for the British debate on leaving the EU. “Whenever I visit Poland, I see a country that has achieved many things. Of course, I realize that in Poland there are also millions of people - young, unemployed, who lead difficult lives, but I am an outsider and I can tell you that you should be proud of your achievements” said Blair. Addressing the attendees, Blair stressed that Poland could also be an “advocate for freedom, democracy and openness within the EU and NATO,” adding that “the best alliances are born from values, not strategic interests.” Blair added that a British exit from the EU would constitute “madness.” He also praised Polish emigrants to the United Kingdom, stressing that “they have played a great role in the development of the country” and urged that the world must work towards improving “standards of democracy, freedom, and tolerance.” The annual ABSL conference brings together several hundred global and Polish business leaders, politicians, and financial institutions.