POLAND ...th Independence Day

This two-page special supplement is prepared to commemorate the republic's anniversary of independence day and help provide latest information about Poland, its people, their hopes and its bilateral relation with Indonesia. Opening the curtain is an interview by The Jakarta Post staff writers Oei Eng Goan and K. Basrie with Krzysztof Szumski, Ambassador of Poland to Indonesia, covering Poland's target to join EU, the transition from a state economy to a market economy, and mission to boost ties with Jakarta.

What's the main focus of the Polish government nowadays following the recent September election?

Poland now is concentrating its relation with other European partners in its efforts to become member of the European Union. The new government plans to end negotiation on its membership at the end of 2002 so that Poland will be ready to join EU in 2004. The new government already officially declared that this is our strategic process and all our sources should concentrate on this process.

Also Poland would like to continue developing friendly and better relation with other countries, particularly Asia region, which is an important economy, including a big country like Indonesia.

How's the chance for Poland to join the EU?

Our new government has received strong support from the people, including those who earlier worried about Polish entrance. We could be more flexible in the negotiation, meaning that some areas not very important to Poland could be more flexible and give some concession in other areas.

Some EU countries are afraid that Polish people -- when the borders are opened -- will go to work specially to Germany and Austria. But we need to explain that enlargement will create more business for the EU. And Poland is a market of 40 million people. It is therefore an absolute mistake to think that Polish workers went to Germany during crises, not in good times. If Poland has a growing economy like today, there should be no fear of Polish workers going to the West. We need to be in the EU to develop our economy.

Talking about Indonesia, Poland might have similar historical background in dealing with the past for a reform and has proven succeeding in building its ruined economy at a top speed. Do you see things that Indonesia could learn or adopt?

The process of tranformation started in 1989 in Poland is a little bit like Indonesia. The beginning was very difficult. We may have easier situation because our country is smaller and not so diversified like Indonesia. But in the economic situation, we also have big problems in the first three to four years. After that, we achieved very good results. Our economy grows at more than four percent every year. And Poland now is fully democratic country, and respects human right. In the political field, we're also great. Like many other countries, we still have problems. For example, we have problems in employment. This year, there's a litle bit slowdown in our economic development. But generally, the transformation was successful and we're ready to share our experience with countries like Indonesia. But I'd also like to stress that we observe with great interest the situation in Indonesia. And we support morally and politically hope the process will be successful and Indonesia will become one of the biggest democratic countries in the world. I think Indonesia has the chance to become an important democratic country. We hope Indonesia could overcome these difficulties in the process of democratization because we see the very important role of Indonesia in the region.

What kind of bilateral cooperation that Poland need in its relation with Indonesia?

We want to develop political, economic and cultural cooperation between Poland and Indonesia. There's especially a great potential in the economic field. There are so many areas which we could really cooperate and develop for our economic relationship, particularly concerning the maritime economy, mining industry, chemical industry, heavy equipment, road construction and electrical power station. We have good experience in these areas. On our side, we already import a lot of Indonesian goods, like garment, electronic products, traditional goods, coffee, rubber. We really hope for the visit of President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who has been invited to Poland. We do understand that now there many important things happen in Indonesia today but we hope that Mrs. Megawati could pay a visit to Poland while on her trip to Europe next year. Such highest-level visit might in some way help stimulate bilateral cooperation in all fields.

How do Poles see the entire situation in Indonesia?

Naturally, the last events in Indonesia may not create a good climate for the development of tourism here. But I do hope this is only temporarily situation and we at the embassy here always suggest to Polish tourists to not be afraid to visit Indonesia because there are still many places here which are quite and could be safe. That's why we always hope the number of tourists from Poland will increase.

What barriers do you find in promoting better relations and cooperation?

I think the problem is that on one side that we in Poland currently are concentrating on the negotiation for our participation in the EU. On the other side, the image of Indonesia now is a little bit not as positive as before and sometimes the press exaggerating some information (on the situation in Indonesia). We, therefore, try to promote from both sites on the true image of our two countries. For this reason, we recently organized the trip of Indonesian journalists to Poland and also a group of state Polish TV crew to Indonesia. I think this kind of programs will help our people from being influenced by some exaggerating reports.

Do you have suggestions on how to boost bilateral trade?

In term of financing, I think we can solve this problem with the help of experts in both sides. The important thing is that the business sectors have to build direct contacts because both Poland and Indonesia is in the process of privatization. For this reason, representative of the business community have to visit each other's countries to know each others. Such direct contract could further boost the bilateral business relation. And in November, a group of Polish businessmen will come to Indonesia.

Do you have any figures about Poles living in Indonesia?

There are about 100 people. Some of them are businessmen, mostly importing furniture. Others are Catholic priests living in Flores (Nusa Tenggara) and many Polish here have married with locals and . In the old days, Polish contractors helped build the Polonia airport in North Sumatera.

Any special message do you want to extend to them?

To my compatriots, I would like to congratulate them for being in such a big beautiful, interesting country, and I wish them to continue to be in Indonesia, and to be successful in their business. The embassy is open for any cooperation of Polish people.