From what I read in the above explanation, the funding is meant to be an incentive to entice people back home. Not support.
Most of the Polish people I know in Dublin are highly intelligent and very well qualified. Maybe if people actually steered for change, rather than voting in the same old typical cronies Poland would have more to offer its people. Namely, quality of life, good economy, and lower rental/accommodation costs.
Every single Polish person I have met are frustrated by the draconian mentality within the Polish government, the corruption, feel unable to question this dubious establishment, and the bigoted outburts from so called leaders. Poland has already been warned it runs the risk of relinquishing its place in the EU by not fully embracing and putting into practice what they signed up for, and in particular, the issue of human rights.
The EC gave its consent to the Europe Agreement with the foreword containing an additional point: "Poland's ultimate aim is membership of the Community." In this way the Polish partner established that the aim of the Agreement was the creation of frameworks for Poland's gradual integration into the Community.
The most important from Poland's point of view was that as a result of diplomatic interventions by the states, of the Visegrád group, the European Council decided at its Copenhagen summit in June 1993 that: "the associate member states from Central and Eastern Europe, if they so wish, will become members of the EU. In order to achieve this, however, they must fulfill the appropriate conditions." These became known as the Copenhagen criteria, or simply, membership criteria.
The Copenhagen criteria laid down the following EU membership requirements:
1. That candidate countries achieve stable institutions that guarantee democracy, legality, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities.
2. That candidate countries have a working market economy, capable of competing effectively on EU markets.
3. That candidate countries are capable of accepting all the membership responsibilities, political, economic and monetary.
It is almost daily that I read how Poland fails in each of these areas. There is a long road ahead for Poland, but one day she will get there. The difference will come down to voting for actual change. Also, I see some mirroring of what happened in Ireland over the last 20 years. One of the poorest in Europe, if not the most, many of the Irish youth emigrated to the US and found a better life. Some had families before they could even afford a first visit home, (it was more expensive than today and a greater distance) but they made a good life for themselves there.
Of those that came back with fresh ideas from the US, Ireland began to change when she adopted the capitalist economic model. Only once we, the people, who employ the government, realised that, and steered for change, did this seed begin to sprout. There needs to be a shift in a national mindset for this. This was borne when people saw that a better life can be made once the chains of an archaic establishment, too comfortable in the past being the victim of the Saxon King, were broken. You have to question and manage a government you pay and elect to work for you.
No longer is Ireland second to the UK, its former oppressor, it is even more prosperous. We had to look outside the box and make that change ourselves. And fully embrace our responsibilities with the EU. Give and take is partnership.
Some people's delicate sensibilities will be bruised for what I'm about to say, but Poland is a very, very proud nation. And rightly so. Poland rose from the ashes like a Phoenix and the people survived the stripping of its lands by its opporessors. Just like Ireland. And just like Ireland, who was comfortbale for some time seeing itself as a victim, Poland is the same. Very proud that it fought for its survival, but also resentment is held that the outsode world stood by and let it happen. This has lead to pride turning to an insular situation, still existing, where outside values or ideas are demonised almost. Quite a closed perception, in a global view. It is evident from many of the sentiments posted here by Poles.
But, you know, Poles who have worked in Ireland, UK, the US, have better lives. They can walk into a tax office and have their query dealt with, professionally and with manners and no abuse, or any civil servant looking down their nose at them. You don't have to bribe anyone to have applications processed in due course. Efficiency and professionalism is a given. They see they can question the establishment, steer for change, change the status quo with perseverence, and adapt new ideas to their own home situation.
It will happen. It will have to if Poland is to be a credible EU partner. But seriously, the leaders Poland has at the moment are a hindrance if nothing else.
|
