Prezydent RP Aleksander KWAŚNIEWSKI rozpocznie dziś oficjalną wizytę w Republice Irlandii. Program wizyty przewiduje m.in.: 11:00 - Aras an Uachtarain - ceremonia oficjalnego powitania Prezydenta RP 11:20 - Aras an Uachtarain - wpis do księgi pamiątkowej 11:20 - Aras an Uachtarain - spotkanie z Prezydentem Irlandii 11:35 - Aras an Uachtarain - krótkie spotkanie z prasą, ceremonia sadzenia drzewka 12:00 - Aras an Uachtarain - śniadanie prywatne Prezydenta Irlandii z Prezydentem RP 13:35 - Ogród pamięci - ceremonia złożenia wieńca 14:20 - Mansion House - spotkanie z merem Dublina (B. Lynchem), udział Prezydenta RP w sesji miejskiej 15:00 - Confederation House - wystąpienie Prezydenta RP na forum IBEC (The Irish Business and Employers) 16:15 - Budynki Rządowe - powitanie Prezydenta RP przez premiera Irlandii (J. Burtona) 16:20 - Budynki Rządowe - rozmowy w wąskim gronie z premierem Irlandii 17:10 - Budynki Rządowe - spotkanie z prasą 20:00 - Zamek Dubliński - obiad oficjalny wydany przez Prezydenta Irlandii na cześć Prezydenta RP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wystąpienie prezydenta RP w Confederation House w Dublinie, na forum IBEC /The Irish Business and Employers Confederation/ It gives me genuine satisfaction to meet with representatives of the Irish business community. This is a good opportunity to take a look at our economic co-operation. Moreover, I would like through this meeting to convince our Irish hosts that Poland, the biggest country in Central Europe, is a good and stable partner. This is a sales market of 40 million people, a country with a dynamically growing economy, with a fairly good infrastructure now, and with qualified workforce. Poland was the first country in Central and Eastern Europe to initiate back in 1989 a political and economic transformation. Subsequent governments have been very consistently implementing the programme which leads to economic growth, to reduced inflation and to a fundamental change in the ownership structure in economy. The Polish economy develops by the market rules and has for three years now been on the fast growth track. Effectiveness of the our economy has improved, the unemployment has gone down. We were the first country in our part of Europe to exceed the global product level from before 1990. In 1996, our GDP grew by 6 per cent. The share of the public debt in the GDP fell below 55 per cent, whereas the budgetary deficit limits itself to 2.5 per cent of GDP. Large share of the private sector and the swiftly advancing process of internationalisation of economy are a benchmark of the progress made in Poland. We owe it to the stable currency, to high level of investment and to consistent privatisation of state property. We still have some difficult tasks in store: restructuring of mining and steel industry, reform of the entire sector of social services, and of social insurance in particular. We are still seeking an efficient way to encourage social and economic changes in agriculture. In spite of this, even now one can clearly see that the economic transformation in Poland has proved to be a success story. We are, nevertheless, aware of the fact that growth tendencies invariably call for new incentives. Let me assure that the economic policy, prudent and consistent as it has been so far, will continue. Transformation and our association with the European Union as well as the establishment of CEFTA - Central European Free Trade Agreement have all opened the Polish economy up to the world. Poland has joined the World Trade Organisation and the OECD. The European Union countries are nowadays Poland`s main trading partners. At the close of this decade, a free trade zone between Poland and the EU countries will be formed for industrial goods. The liberalisation of trade with our CEFTA partners: Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia, gains even more momentum than with the Union. Also Romania, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Ukraine are seeking membership of CEFTA. Foreign business bears this in mind while deciding on the directions of investment flows. Poland is not only a target market but also a springboard for exports to other areas. Last year, Poland`s commodity turnover with the abroad showed further growth. Its value exceeded for the very first time USD 60 billion. We are concerned, however, to see quickly increasing negative balance of trade. This also applies to our trade exchange with Ireland. Last year, the Polish-Irish trade turnover reached de value of USD 245.1 million out of which the Polish exports to Ireland represented USD 64.6 million, whereas our imports: USD 180.5 million. Since 1993, our mutual turnover has almost doubled. This was attained primarily owing to the growth of Irish exports to our country. Our mutual trading offer might be much wider than it is now. Today our staple good in exports to Ireland is hard coal. On the exports side, Cinquecento cars, Ursus tractors, metal products, molasses, clothes and footwear are also important. I believe that our exports needs stronger promotion in your country. We depend on the Irish side for co-operation in this issue, we hope that our Irish partners will get a better acquaintance with the Polish economic and exports potential. We also count on a constantly growing and active presence of the Irish capital in our economy. Ladies and Gentlemen, A common desire of the Polish people is to find themselves at the outset of a new century in the structures which guarantee lasting security, democracy and an effective economic system. Accession to the European Union is for Poland an important strategic choice. An overwhelming majority of the Polish society advocate this direction for our future development. This solution has earned support of most of the significant political forces. This kind of political and social backing creates favourable conditions to prepare ourselves for implementation of an accession strategy. While underscoring Polish aspirations to the membership of the European Union, we are not only engrossed with the benefits our country will derive. We are also aware of obligations which rest with us. The accession to the European Union is going to be a test of adjustment of our economy, legal system and administration to European standards. We are well advanced on this road. For several years now, we have been harmonising our legal system with the European standards. In the recent period of time, we have been the first of the countries associated with the European Union in Central Europe to develop the National Strategy for Integration. We assume that negotiations on Poland`s membership in the EU will commence soon after January 1, 1998, in accordance with the schedule adopted in December 1995 by the European Council. Co-operation with Ireland is to us a question of major importance. We are impressed with your country`s dynamic growth. We are attentively following Ireland`s success in restructuring of agriculture. Also, you were very skilful in using European Union`s structural funds. We intend to benefit from your experience in these areas provided that you are willing to share it with us. May I wish further success to all of you who have gathered here and to the companies you represent. I also wish you prosperity in business done with Poland and in Poland.