Polish envoy bids farewell after five years of service

JAKARTA (JP): Poland's ambassador to Indonesia Ksawery Burski gave his farewell party on Friday (Polish Independence Day) at the Embassy's new premises after almost five years of service.

During his stay in Indonesia, he experienced ups and downs in Indonesian politics and economy, but always stressed his faith in the capabilities of Indonesians to cope with their problems.

During his mission the new premises of the Embassy were built, which are, in his opinion, "the physical proof for the Polish government's policy towards Indonesia, based on mutual trust regardless of the situation in the economy or politics".

In his opinion, Poles understand Indonesians in their desire to be independent - now and before, thanks to the historical similarities the two nations share.

Poland was deprived of statehood for more than 120 years between 1794 and 1918. Six generations of Poles fought to regain independence and they succeeded on Nov. 11, 1918.

In 1939, Poland was once more conquered by its neighbors, this time for six long years. After World War II Poland was forced -- out of Yalta agreements -- to join the Soviet block. Only after the birth of Solidarity in 1980 did Poland begin to regain its independence once more.

Now Poland is a modern, democratic country. A member of all European security institutions with the exception of the European Union.

Burski said joining the European Union, for Poland, would be the same as Southeast Asian countries' membership of ASEAN. "These two organizations have a lot in common -- they are the corner stone of the stability, peace and prosperity in their respective regions," Burski said.

The Ambassador expressed hope that Polish-Indonesian relations would further develop, especially in the field of trade, because in Poland like in Indonesia, the economy occupies first place among the priorities of foreign policy.

Polish companies offer Indonesia a wide variety of competitively-priced goods, including heavy mining machinery, fishing boats, small airplanes meant for agriculture and diary products.

One Indonesian businessman of Polish origin, Zbigniew Bleszynski, was awarded the Polish Order of Merit, which was conveyed on Friday to his daughter and actress Tamara. Bleszynski was unable to attend due to health reasons.

Zbigniew Bleszynski has spent more than 40 years in Indonesia. (ego)