Ladies and Gentlemen,

Comprehending the needs and priorities of the European security, seen as whole, Poland has taken an active part in international community’s efforts to bring peace and stability in the Balkans. We have participated in UNPROFOR, UNPREDEP, and various observatory missions. Let me remind you that former Polish Prime Minister, Tadeusz Mazowiecki was appointed by the UN Human Rights Commission, the first special rapporteur for former Yugoslavia. We are currently present in SFOR and KFOR and we provide humanitarian and technical aid to the countries of the Balkan region. The total value of our engagement in the Balkans amounted to as much as 30 million US dollars in 1999 alone. This was done even without being granted a member status in the Stability Pact. We estimate that this year contribution will be maintained on a similar level. The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Poland has already accepted the framework for the programme of our engagement in the region.

The Pact itself has always been highly estimated by Poland, and seen as a valuable instrument in international engagement to bring stability and development of the Balkans. We especially appreciate the unique holistic approach towards the region. We are contributing to the fulfilment of the goals of the Stability Pact, considering ourselves to be a facilitator-country. To illustrate the point I may quote numerous Polish projects, which are already under way, and which have been submitted both through Council of Europe and through Stability Pact. As we speak final preparations are being made by the Polish Ministry of the Interior and Administration to launch a training programme for police force from Kosovo area. Throughout the year training will continue to be provided for 260 representatives of Albanian local communities. Various Polish bodies, organisations, and other subjects are operating in the region. There are over a thousand servicemen in the Balkans, and more are expected to arrive within the next couple of months. Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is co-financing and supporting the establishment of the Permanent Mission of Polish NGO’s to be located in Kacanik and Strpce – the region where Polish KFOR contingent is stationed.

Decentralisation, civil society building, regional and cross-border co-operation are acknowledged as particularly good means to achieve the proper atmosphere for peaceful and stable development of societies and for creating good neighbourly relations. On these very areas we have concentrated our efforts providing aid and assistance to the Balkans. Poland has got vast experience in political and economic transformation. We know the traps, the costs, and the benefits. And we want to share our knowledge with those who are in need of it. We are capable of pointing the paths leading from totalitarian regime to a democratic state with a functioning market economy. From rump and fruitless regional co-operation to the wealth of friendly international relations.

The fresh memories of the totalitarian past and the awareness of the difficulties arising from the need to break the barriers, overcome obstacles, and pave new roads, constitute a priceless heritage, the lessons of which we are able to deliver to the countries of the Balkan region. And we are doing this already. It is being done by hundreds of Polish experts and dozens of NGO’s, who possess full expertise and technical capabilities. Some basics concerning our offer can be found in the position paper.

Having said the above, there is only one conclusion, which can be made. Our engagement in the process of bringing peace and stability to the Balkans, our expertise, our knowledge, which can be applied on the area covered by the Pact, our capability to pass that knowledge, and the existing programmes, which are co-financed by Poland, entitle us to state clearly: Poland is in fact a facilitator, and wishes to be recognised as such.