For years it has been consistently argued that the center of gravity of decisions is shifting to the East of the European Union. The great enlargement of 2004, which caused so much concern in terms of its timing and in terms of whether it should follow the deepening of the institutions of the European edifice, brought the European relatives, who for decades were trapped in the ideological, social and economic gulag of the Soviet Union.
The chicks of the European Idea proved to be great in their performance and claims. On the one hand, the Marshes, which were characterized as Tigers for their economic progress and leaps and bounds, with Estonia first in the field of digital applications, and on the other the countries of Central Europe, which as if not a day had passed, emerged in a self-evident reference core for European processes and things.
In any case, Poland developed and secured a leading role. This great country, which has the largest population in relation to the new members, the brilliant history and culture, but also the undeniable fighting spirit of its people.
For years it has been consistently argued that the center of gravity of decisions is shifting to the East of the European Union. The great enlargement of 2004, which caused so much concern in terms of its timing and in terms of whether it should follow the deepening of the institutions of the European edifice, brought the European relatives, who for decades were trapped in the ideological, social and economic gulag of the Soviet Union.
The chicks of the European Idea proved to be great in their performance and claims. On the one hand, the Marshes, which were characterized as Tigers for their economic progress and leaps and bounds, with Estonia first in the field of digital applications, and on the other the countries of Central Europe, which as if not a day had passed, emerged in a self-evident reference core for European processes and things.
In any case, Poland developed and secured a leading role. This great country, which has the largest population in relation to the new members, the brilliant history and culture, but also the undeniable fighting spirit of its people.
Even when the geopolitical division of the world classified them in a camp, which had just caused them so much suffering, most notably the massacre of the flower of Polish society in the Katyn forest and the annihilation of the Free Polish Army, they did not miss their competitive disposal. They maintained their faith in the Roman Catholic Church and never stopped looking for ways and means of challenging totalitarianism. The creation of Solidarity was a culmination and proof of their wisdom and contributed to the overthrow of the regime and the weaning from the Soviet Union.
The Poles were not satisfied with their success in joining the great Western Alliances. They worked hard and claimed their distinction. Their economic performance was such that they created a reverse wave of workforce by creating opportunities, perspective and justified return of their young people, who sought in the 90s, their future abroad.
It was also the only one of the new countries, which took, through its political executive, the position of President of the European Council, the highest in prestige and power in European terms.
Poland, however, does not hesitate to show its teeth, in the most decisive and perhaps unexpected way, when it considers that its vital national interests are at stake. It is also assisted by other countries, which belong to those of the great enlargement of 2004 and basically constitute the axis of the Visegrand. Now a typical example is their attitude towards Ukraine.
That is, the country that Poland over-issued in the mobilization for its support and the adoption of the harshest sanctions against Russia, but also for which it does not hesitate to impose a ban on the import of its grains and to stop the supply of war material .
Many were quick to attribute these moves to the ruling party’s attempt to retain its voter base among farmers ahead of next month’s elections. However, it should not be overlooked that the opposition, which speaks in the name of Europe, demanded even tougher measures.
The practice of unilateral bans, which the Poles, Slovaks and Hungarians establish on the import of Ukrainian grain, cannot be understood with understanding, as an action stemming from national sensitivities. It annuls and overturns the foundations on which the European Union was built and the European Commission operates.
