Today, Poland celebrates its Constitution Day commemorating the ratification of the first written constitution of its kind in Europe and second in the world which took place in 1791. This reflected the Polish spirit of equality and democratic political tradition that enabled our nation to survive 123 years after the partitions which resulted in the disappearance of sovereign Poland in the 18th century.
This year we also celebrate another historical achievement, which is the 20th anniversary of Poland’s membership in the EU. Facing various challenges and threats, the EU plays an important political role as a strong supporter of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
Poland has been a member of the EU since May 1, 2004. Soon, starting from January 1 next year, Poland is to hold the EU Council presidency, which rotates every six months. During these six months, Poland is to help determine the agenda of council meetings in each policy area, and facilitate dialogue with the other EU institutions and foreign partners around the globe.
Membership in the EU transformed Poland into one of the key European growth engines. It is estimated that thanks to participation in the common European market, Poland’s GDP grew by an additional 40 percent over the past 20 years. Our economy has received net transfers of more than 160 billion euros (US$171.37 billion) and today we continue to have access to European funds that can support foreign investors in various sectors including advanced IT technologies.
With a rapidly growing economy, a stable internal market, a vast pool of highly skilled talent, robust infrastructure and various incentives, Poland stands out as the top choice for investment. Under the National Recovery Program, a total of 59.8 billion euros in grants and 34.54 billion euros in preferential loans are set to be distributed. In addition, US$1.5 billion is to be allocated to develop the semiconductor sector under the National Framework for Semiconductors.
Over the past 34 years, our economy has tripled in size and is now the EU’s seventh-largest economy with 77 industrial and technology parks, along with 14 special economic zones.
Poland’s economic contacts with Taiwan have steadily grown in recent years. Last year, Poland attracted attention with the largest national pavilion at SEMICON Taiwan, featuring seven major companies: CEZAMAT, Digital Core Design, Ensemble3, Fluence Technology, QNA, Vigo Photonics and XTPL.
In June last year, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Chen Chern-Chyi (陳正祺) led an economic delegation to Poland, where he met with his counterpart, Polish Secretary for State of Economic Development and Technology Grzegorz Piechowiak.
Subsequently, the same month, a delegation of Polish legislators from the Polish-Taiwanese Friendship Group visited Taiwan. National Development Councilor Minister Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) and representatives of Academia Sinica visited Poland in July last year. This visit resulted in a series of agreements between Polish and Taiwanese companies.
In September last year, Taiwan warmly welcomed a delegation from the Polish Ministry of Education led by Undersecretary of State Wojciech Murdzek.
Cooperation in the energy industry has also flourished. On April 17, the inaugural Taiwan-Poland Hydrogen Cooperation meeting took place. Also this month, the Polish-Taiwanese Chamber of Industry and Commerce was formed.
Our collaboration extends beyond technology and business to the realms of arts and culture. Each year, the Polish Office in Taipei organizes popular Chopin Concerts in Daan Park. Our cultural initiatives are not confined to Taipei alone.
We have held exhibitions by Polish artists in Taiwanese cities such as Taichung, Su’ao (蘇澳) and Toucheng townships (頭城) in Yilan County, Taoyuan and Kaohsiung.
To commemorate this year’s anniversaries in partnership with the Chimei Museum in 400-year-old Tainan, we are eagerly awaiting a musical concert featuring compositions by Polish masters such as Chopin, Kurpinski, Szymanowska, Szymanowski, Badarzewska and Paderewski.
Last but not least, we note with satisfaction a steady growth of Polish diaspora here in Taiwan, and an increased number of activities which unite Polish and Taiwanese people.
Cyryl Kozaczewski is director of the Polish Office in Taipei.
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