Editor's note: French connection
The future shape of the European Union, and Poland's place in it, depends on whether the French say 'oui' or 'non' to the European Constitution. That's why we must give credit to President Kwaśniewski for actively engaging in the campaign to convince the French to support the Constitution.
Why is Kwaśniewski's support so important to Chirac? Well, there are over one million French citizens with Polish roots, and coincidently this is just about the margin between the opponents and supporters of the Constitution.
What would be the implications of the French 'non' for Poland? The defeat of the supporters of the Constitution would certainly mean that Europe couldn't speak in a firm and unified voice on international matters. This, in turn, would mean that Poland's influence on the situation in Ukraine and Belarus would be insignificant. That would be a huge loss, because Poland not only has a chance to strengthen its position in the EU, but also to help its neighbors in building democracy and freeing themselves from the Russian sphere of influence.
Furthermore, the Polish government hopes for the quick opening of the French market to Polish workers, which will not be possible if the Constitution is rejected.
Poland's absolute priority is the European budget. For his outright support for the French government Kwaśniewski was assured by the leaders of the EU's two biggest players that solidarity with the poorer countries "will remain a priority of the Union's expenses." These words could mean billions of euro for Poland, the same billions that the member states are fighting for. Because of France and Germany's tough economic situation, cuts in the European budget are inevitable.
A smaller budget would most likely lead to cuts in structural and cohesion funds. Cutting the budget by EUR 40 (zł.166) billion would mean reducing help for the poorest countries. That would be a false and short-term solution. It would mean that we wouldn't be able to fully use the potential of the cohesion funds. That will mean less work, not only in Poland, but also in the whole of Europe.
Eliza Durka
Editor-in-chief
Why is Kwaśniewski's support so important to Chirac? Well, there are over one million French citizens with Polish roots, and coincidently this is just about the margin between the opponents and supporters of the Constitution.
What would be the implications of the French 'non' for Poland? The defeat of the supporters of the Constitution would certainly mean that Europe couldn't speak in a firm and unified voice on international matters. This, in turn, would mean that Poland's influence on the situation in Ukraine and Belarus would be insignificant. That would be a huge loss, because Poland not only has a chance to strengthen its position in the EU, but also to help its neighbors in building democracy and freeing themselves from the Russian sphere of influence.
Furthermore, the Polish government hopes for the quick opening of the French market to Polish workers, which will not be possible if the Constitution is rejected.
Poland's absolute priority is the European budget. For his outright support for the French government Kwaśniewski was assured by the leaders of the EU's two biggest players that solidarity with the poorer countries "will remain a priority of the Union's expenses." These words could mean billions of euro for Poland, the same billions that the member states are fighting for. Because of France and Germany's tough economic situation, cuts in the European budget are inevitable.
A smaller budget would most likely lead to cuts in structural and cohesion funds. Cutting the budget by EUR 40 (zł.166) billion would mean reducing help for the poorest countries. That would be a false and short-term solution. It would mean that we wouldn't be able to fully use the potential of the cohesion funds. That will mean less work, not only in Poland, but also in the whole of Europe.
Eliza Durka
Editor-in-chief
