Amb. Krzysztof Majka
The following message was contributed by the Polish Embassy in Korea on the occasion of the National Day of Poland. ― Ed.
Today, Poland commemorates one of the most significant events in its history. Two-hundred-and-twenty-one years ago, Poland began on the path of democracy it is heading along today. On May 3, 1791 the Parliament became the first in Europe and only the second in the world ― after the American Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776 ― to ratify a constitution. The so called May Constitution changed the political system in Poland and created a modern, democratic law, separating the legislative, executive and judiciary state functions. The constitution remains a landmark document that inspired generations of Poles through the turbulence of the 18th century, both World Wars and communist rule.
Today, Poland is a modern, democratic country, and a member of major western hemisphere organizations such as the European Union and NATO. Last year Poland led the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first time since joining the EU. The Polish Presidency was highly appraised by members of the EU.
As a member of the EU, Poland strongly supported the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement. Poland is Korea’s largest economic partner in Eastern Europe. Since establishing diplomatic ties 23 years ago we have seen remarkable development of relations, especially in the economic field. In 1989 mutual trade was $125 million and in 2011 it amounted to $4.5 billion. The Korean investments in Poland have become a vital element of Polish-Korean economic co-operation and are important for our economy mainly due to their high technological level. In recent years Poland became the second country in the world (after China) to host a Samsung Research Center.
Educational cooperation between Poland and Korea is equally important. More and more students each year take part in student exchange programs. In 2010 the Korean Educational Fair were organized in Poland for the first time. This year Poland was present at the 2012 Korea Study Abroad Fair. The event included a seminar on opportunities of studying in Poland. Cooperation between music departments of Keymiung University and Fryderyk Chopin Academy is another example of excellent, long lasting and flourishing cooperation between Poland and Korea in the academic field. Korea’s love of Chopin’s music is almost as big as Poland’s. This may be because of the romantic but tragic history of both nations. That is why it is Korea, among other Asian countries, where the 2nd Asia Pacific International F. Chopin Piano Competition will take place. It is scheduled for October 2012.
Poland is also proud of the Polish Language Department at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, the biggest in Asia. Recently, Ambassador Krzysztof Majka decorated the head of the department, professor Choi Sung-eun, with the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, which was awarded by Bronislaw Komorowski ― the president of the Republic of Poland ― for Choi’s outstanding service in developing Polish-Korean academic cooperation and promotion of Polish Culture in the Republic of Korea.
Poland also contributes to the stability of the Korean Peninsula. Poland has been a member of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission since 1953, a body consisting of neutral nations which is part of a mechanism contributing to the stability of the Korean Peninsula.
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
