Ceremonies marking the 25th anniversary of Poland’s presence in NATO were held on the premises of the Warsaw Citadel. Speeches were made by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and the Speakers of the Sejm and Senate.
During the anniversary celebrations, Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed that Poland’s accession to the North Atlantic Alliance 25 years ago was “an obvious consequence of steadfast and tireless armed and political struggle as well as civil responsibility”.
“Poland is a loyal ally of the pact. On my own behalf, but also on behalf of the Prime Minister, ministers, all of us who are responsible for the Republic of Poland today, I confirm the alliance commitments of the Polish state to all members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and I expect our allies to fulfil all the treaty’s provisions when the need arises”, said the Deputy Prime Minister.
The Speaker of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia, thanked everyone who contributed to Poland becoming a member of NATO. “Poland is not only in the Alliance, but also it is the Alliance. We are all part of it”, said Szymon Holownia. The Speaker added that the 25th anniversary of joining NATO is a special moment for Poland, especially in the context of our country’s status in the structures of the pact.
Szymon Hołownia emphasised that our presence in the structures of the alliance has solidified, but that that moment 25 years ago was crucial. “While respecting the past, we must look to the future”, said the Speaker of the Sejm.
The Speaker of the Senate Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska also spoke at the ceremony. She stated that Poland’s accession to NATO was a dream come true for many generations of Poles. She said that she remembered the joy when we saw the Polish flag in front of the NATO headquarters 25 years ago.
Kidawa-Błońska pointed out that NATO member states should remember Article 3 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which obliges member states to strengthen their own and collective defence capabilities.
Arkadiusz Słomczyński