Good afternoon,

Your Grace,

Your Excellency,

Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of the Director of the DAIBW of Ministry of Foreign Affairs I would like to thank you for the invitation and the possibility of presenting today a short speech on Polish – South African co-operation in last decade.

Our two countries share similar historic experience – dramatic and difficult history, long fight for independence, democracy and freedom, aspiration for social welfare, development and adequate position in international politics, and a similar resolve in overcoming difficulties on their road of transformations. For this reason, we supported the South African struggle. And now we are willing to share our experience of political and economic reforms over the last several years. We admire the favorable changes in the political and social life of South Africa and consolidation of democratic rules of governance. They were shown to be durable and effective during last year’s presidential and parliamentary elections.

Transformations of the end of 80 and 90 that took place in Poland and in South Africa created good conditions for elimination of the restriction in contacts between two countries. The first, quasi-official diplomatic relation was established in 1988. The protocol on diplomatic co-operation was signed in 91 in Pretoria. Political relation developed parallel to the democratic changes in South Africa.

During next five years, there were many official visits in both countries. President de Klerk was in Poland in 1992. Polish ministers of foreign affairs – Skubiszewski and Bartoszewski, visited South Africa. Interparlamentary co-operation was established during this time. President Kwasniewski participated in the Earth Summit in Johannesburg in 2002.

Contacts between ministries, institutions and enterprises develop systematically. The direct private sector co-operation has existed since the end of 80. In 1990 Poland cancelled restriction concerning trade with South Africa. And then Polish economic representative was created in Johannesburg. Trade and economic co-operation was facilitating by the new treaties and agreements singed by the two sides.

South Africa is one of the most important partners of Poland on African continent. The value of trade co-operation is raising. In 2002 it figured out more than 125 mln USD. South Africa id the only African country which has investments in Poland. However, we still notice many possibilities to enhance economic co-operation.

More than 12.000 Poles live in South Africa. They live in different part of the country. Half of them have double citizenship – Polish and South African. In South Africa, there are 10 organisations of Polish emigrants, which inspire cultural activities.

There is active scientific co-operation between Poland and South Africa on the field of medicine, chemistry, and economic science. As a result of the agreement on technical co-operation Poland is co-financing a construction of a telescope – the biggest one on the Southern Hemisphere which is built in South Africa.

In the face of the challenges confronting us, dialog between civilisations is of fundamental significance. In the modern world, full of uncertainty and threats, it invokes the best traditions of mankind and contributes to the debate on the possibility of dialog between North and South, East and West. Our mutual contacts and the present visit are an excellent example of this.

Poland has followed with interest the engagement of South Africa on the international scene. We commend South African efforts to ensure stability on the African continent. After all, durable peace and security offer the best guarantee of social and economic development. We appreciate the contribution of South Africa, and personally - of President Thabo Mbeki, to the establishment of the New Partnership for African Development and implementation of the Founding Act of the African Union. Basing on European experience, the integration of the African continent will be successful, testifying to the credibility and attractiveness of the African partners.

Poland is on the eve of implementing the strategic goal of its foreign policy over the last decade – accession to the European Union. While striving to attain it, we have been consolidating and invigorating our contacts with our traditional partners in Africa – prominently including South Africa. We intend to become involved in the existing mechanisms of cooperation between the European Union and African states. We hope this will benefit both countries, opening up new vistas of Polish-South African cooperation.