Polish envoy bids farewell after five years of service

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)