PM Olmert: It is my pleasure to welcome the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Donald Tusk, to Israel. I thank the Prime Minister for choosing to visit Israel so soon after taking office, and at an especially meaningful time for us – the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel. The Prime Minister of Poland joins a long list of heads of state who are visiting Israel this year in the framework of the celebrations for the 60th Independence Day for the State of Israel. I have no doubt that this is testimony of the Prime Minister’s personal commitment to maintain and strengthen the relations between Israel and Poland, and we hope that this visit serves as an important landmark in the advancement of the ties between us.
Over the past several years, the relations between our countries have expanded in many fields. The scope of trade grew significantly, as well as Israeli investments in Poland. We encourage these trends, and intend to work together in order to increase them even further in the coming years.
This year is the year of culture between Israel and Poland. During this year, many cultural events will be held in both countries, which will allow both our peoples to better familiarize themselves with the other’s culture, thus strengthening the understanding and friendship between us.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of young people from Israel come to Poland, as well as many Jews from around the world, with the goal of learning history up close. I attribute great importance to these visits, and am convinced that your government will continue Poland’s years-long tradition of supporting this important program. I greatly appreciate your personal commitment, and that of your government, to increase Poland’s public awareness and perpetuate the memory of the Holocaust, and to the struggle against anti-Semitism.
Poland is one of Israel’s closest friends in Europe, and I thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for Poland’s support of Israel in the European Union, the UN and in other international forums, and for your fair and balanced stance on issues which are important to our countries.
Beyond strengthening our bilateral ties, I intend to discuss with the Prime Minister a number of issues central to our agenda. Among them is the international effort to stop Iran’s nuclear program, the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, the war against terror and the situation in Gaza. Poland has much to contribute in the framework of the international community in general, and within the European Union in particular, in making important decisions to stop dangerous trends in the region and strengthen global stability.
I am very pleased of this opportunity to acquaint you, Mr. Prime Minister, with the challenges we face these days. I thank you again for your visit and your friendship, and wish you a successful visit in Israel. Welcome.
PM Tusk: Mr. Prime Minister, I am truly moved to have the privilege of making such an important visit – important to me personally and to my government because of the State of Israel’s forthcoming Independence Day. The timing is coincidence, and a very lucky one.
For the Polish people, in our history – and for me personally as well – the State of Israel’s national sovereignty and your Independence Day is not just another Independence Day of some other country. All people in Poland remember the birth and development of the State of Israel. It is very satisfying for us, and we all remember well what a major part the citizens of Poland played in the establishment of the State of Israel, and in its strengthening and development.
I came here to Israel today to ensure that as many common threads as possible in our history and cultures would be interwoven and become a basis for pride. Poland can be proud, as can Israel, of its history and achievements, and of what we accomplished together – when we lived together for hundreds of years of shared history. When we look forward against this backdrop, we see nations and we see people who, in this history, left with a feeling of being wronged or of guilt. Today we speak with each other in order that the citizens of Poland and the citizens of Israel will speak first of their feeling of commitment and responsibility regarding the future.
Nothing and no one can erase history from our memories, with its positive and negative baggage. We live and act to ensure that history aids people of good will, rather than obstructing them. With great determination and conviction I can say that the shameful phenomena of anti-Semitism and terror will not be tolerated in my country, and have no place among decent people in Poland, in Israel or any other place in the world. Acting against these things is our shared goal, and I am also pleased and do not hide the fact that I hope that our conversations will have a positive influence on improving the cooperation between us regarding the younger generation.
I hope that after this visit the cooperation between our countries will lead to young Israelis coming to Poland and being introduced to our current culture so that they, together with Polish youngsters, can search for hope for a better future. This is our greatest task.
The importance of history need not be denigrated, but let us say today in a loud voice that our goal is to live for full and prosperous cooperation in the future between the Poles and the Israelis, between Poland and Israel. I also hope that current developments in exchanges of knowledge, security and economic initiatives will become even better. I know that you know, and you know that I know that friends will be conversing today, and I wish you all the best on your Independence Day.
I take this opportunity to invite you to visit us in Poland, and would like to reiterate what I said to the President. You will always be at home in Poland.