Foreign Minister concerned over European Union delays to Poland's accession

The expansion of the European Union (EU) and the evaluation of the relations with Russia were the main topics of Foreign Minister Bronislaw Geremek's speech yesterday. Geremek expressed concern about a delay in admitting Poland to the EU and confirmed Poland would be ready to enter by January 2003. In his opinion a further delay may prove harmful to both Poland and the EU. He also talked about creating European military forces. Commenting on Polish - Russian contacts, he said Poland wished to be on good terms with Russia but not at all costs. He mentioned the widespread anti-Polish propaganda by the Russians. The ruling coalition Solidarity Election Action (AWS) and Freedom Union (UW) support Geremek's diplomatic strategy. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 1, 4, 8, 11) E.B.