EUROPEAN UNION | 01.07.2011
All eyes on Warsaw as Poland assumes EU presidency
A three-minute animated short promoting Poland's six-month presidency of the European Union, which begins July 1, depicts the country as a dance partner for the European Union.
Polish romanticism runs through the 3-D film - from the shape of the music to the film's plot. A young dancer asks a sad, pretty brunette to dance - in the middle of an elegant residential area that could easily be in Warsaw, Berlin or Paris.
The passionate film is staged against a troubled background - sometimes the walls of an apartment building break, sometimes the ground shakes. But the dancer leads the lady confidently through the tumult. A random metaphor? Hardly.
The animation reiterates the message from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk that accompanied the film: Poland is gladly taking responsibility of the EU and wants to become a driving force - in good times and bad. Even today, Tusk insists, his country is one of the few that fights for European interests.
Democracy for the neighbors
During its EU presidency, Poland wants to campaign for common European values and strengthen solidarity within the bloc. Warsaw has also announced its intention to combat national self-interests in favor of more community-oriented thinking.
The Polish presidency plans to accelerate the treaty on Croatia's EU membership as well as seek an increasingly close relationship to its neighbor Ukraine. Also on the agenda is the notion of a European Fund for Democracy to support clubs, unions, NGOs and civil society in the EU.
Appeal to its own citizens
Tusk wants to put Poland's best face forwardBut Warsaw isn't just trying to win over Europe: the government has also appealed to its own people - especially to the opposition - to consider the half-year presidency as a unique opportunity for the country. The administration has warned its critics that fierce attacks and accusations will only harm the reputation and prestige of the country on the international stage.
During its EU presidency, Poland wants to campaign for common European values and strengthen solidarity within the bloc. Warsaw has also announced its intention to combat national self-interests in favor of more community-oriented thinking.
The Polish presidency plans to accelerate the treaty on Croatia's EU membership as well as seek an increasingly close relationship to its neighbor Ukraine. Also on the agenda is the notion of a European Fund for Democracy to support clubs, unions, NGOs and civil society in the EU.
Appeal to its own citizens
Tusk wants to put Poland's best face forwardBut Warsaw isn't just trying to win over Europe: the government has also appealed to its own people - especially to the opposition - to consider the half-year presidency as a unique opportunity for the country. The administration has warned its critics that fierce attacks and accusations will only harm the reputation and prestige of the country on the international stage.However, the appeal for cooperation has received little attention from the opposition, because in the fall - right in the middle of the presidential term - Poland is to elect a new parliament. Tusk's political opponents have already made themselves known, with little regard for the special situation. The opposition has gone so far as to predict an international disgrace for the government.
Despite the circumstances, the government has tried to keep its nerve and impress upon its citizens the importance of the EU presidency.
Despite the circumstances, the government has tried to keep its nerve and impress upon its citizens the importance of the EU presidency.
"If we do not use this EU presidency positively, the next generation will not forgive us," said Tusk.
Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski took it one step further: "At this time, errors are much more visible than usual and may have far greater consequences."
Poland will host the EU presidency until December 31
Poland will host the EU presidency until December 31Use the opportunity
On Thursday, just one day before the handover of the EU presidency, several thousand members of the historic trade union Solidarnosc took to the Warsaw streets to demonstrate against rising prices, high unemployment and cuts to social services.
On Thursday, just one day before the handover of the EU presidency, several thousand members of the historic trade union Solidarnosc took to the Warsaw streets to demonstrate against rising prices, high unemployment and cuts to social services.
But the protests haven't undermined the general satisfaction regarding the development of the country. In street surveys, many Poles speak with pride about the impending leadership role of Poland in the EU, which, much like their government, they see as a chance for their country.
Whether Poland turns out to be a good dance partner for the EU in the next six months is difficult to predict. The promotional film made by the young Polish director Tomasz Baginski assumes as much. But now Baginski has handed the role of director over to Poland, and the nation will have the chance to prove itself on the European stage.
Whether Poland turns out to be a good dance partner for the EU in the next six months is difficult to predict. The promotional film made by the young Polish director Tomasz Baginski assumes as much. But now Baginski has handed the role of director over to Poland, and the nation will have the chance to prove itself on the European stage.
Author: Rosalia Romaniec / smh
Editor: Martin Kuebler
Editor: Martin Kuebler
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