Poland – 25 amazing years

Even in a year of important anniversaries for Poland, the 25th anniversary of Solidarity’s victory in the elections of 4 June 1989 is a special moment. I arrived in Poland for the first time exactly seven years earlier. I would like to be able to say that I predicted what was to come. But I did not. What I can say is that Solidarity’s win set the stage for the return of democracy across Central and Eastern Europe and that Poland has achieved a remarkable amount in a quarter of a century. In communist times, I used to drive from Poland to West Berlin, a journey that involved two lengthy border crossings one of which was over the Iron Curtain, and driving on indifferent roads at a time when Poles faced a ten year wait for a car and petrol rationing. Today all those obstacles have disappeared to be replaced by free movement and motorways and, if anything, too much traffic.

The last 25 years are a vivid illustration of what can be achieved when the talents of a nation’s people are freed from the constraints of a lack of democracy and a command economy. Today, we take for granted that Poland is an active and influential member of NATO and the European Union. Today, we take for granted consistent economic growth, a strengthening Polish economy and increasing exports of high quality Polish products.

On Freedom Day, one thing we should not take for granted is freedom itself. It took real courage to challenge the communist regime in Poland. I witnessed at first hand baton charges and the use of water cannon and tear gas by special militia. Events in Ukraine are a timely reminder that freedom today still needs to be defended and supported. This is equally true whether the challenges to democracy are close to home or in countries like Syria where the 3 June elections are a parody of democracy, which fall far below international standards and in which genuine opposition candidates cannot stand.

HRH the Earl of Wessex will represent Her Majesty the Queen at today’s ceremonies to underline just how much we in the United Kingdom admire Poland’s success story.

Congratulations to Poland on 25 amazing years.