Ambassador Przemysław Grudziński’s Remarks on the Capitol Hill at the Celebration of the EU Enlargement

On behalf of the Ambassadors of those countries who became members of the European Union only three days ago, it is my great honor and privilege to welcome you to today’s gathering. We are especially happy to celebrate this historic moment on Capitol Hill, the home to the United States Congress. This place manifests the unity and strength of the American people. We are so pleased, that the honorable members of the US Congress and their staffers have joined us*^*. It gives us an excellent opportunity to say: Thank you, Dear Friends, for your continuous support for advancing the strategic link and friendship between America and Europe. Thank you for hosting us in the US Congress.

May 1, 2004 marks a truly extraordinary moment in the history of a unifying Europe. By admitting ten new members, the European Union embraces the central part of the Continent as well as two beautiful and proud countries-islands on the Mediterranean Sea. From that moment on, more than 75 million Europeans will join other fifteen nations in pursuing their happiness in the common European home. Each of the new members embodies a unique part of Europe’s history. Each of them has made valuable contributions to the greatness of the European heritage. Now, they have joined the quest for a better and more complete Union, adding variety of shapes and colors to the European mosaic.

When the countries of Central and Eastern Europe regained their sovereignty and independence after the fall of the Communism, their dream was to reintegrate with the Western community. Two waves of NATO enlargement in 1999 and 2004 were important steps in this direction. The enlargement of the European Union complements that process, making “the dream of many come true”.

We remember well the Continent divided into the sphere of democracy and freedom on its Western part and the dictatorship of fear and terror on its Eastern side. We have been blessed to make this division disappear. In this year, the year of the double enlargement, we can say with pride that we have made terms like: “the Yalta order” or “the Iron Curtain” simply irrelevant.

I think it is just to emphasize the support that the United States has offered to the realization of the European project. For decades, the most prominent American leaders have continuously advocated the idea of Europe “whole, free and at peace”, pledging their commitment to the partnership with the integrating Europe.

A vision of the unifying Continent conceived by the Europeans has converged with an American vision of a successful Europe. This synergy created a powerful community, which shares common values of freedom, democracy and human rights. It also brought into existence dynamic and innovative economies, which are the most powerful engines for global development. Therefore, the combined capabilities of America and Europe seem to have no limits. It is good news, since the challenges we are facing are very demanding. We can meet them only by fostering the transatlantic partnership.

This year has also changed the perception on the “European Project”, which for decades had been associated with the Western part of the Continent. Its construction seems to be more balanced now, as the EU progresses to the East and to the south, closer towards the frontiers of Europe. It should not be a surprise that the most successful project in the European history draws interests of those nations who are voicing their desire for democracy, freedom and prosperity to prevail in their countries. The first hand experience of the new members proves how important the hope for membership in the EU was in order to generate and sustain the efforts leading to restoring democracy and free market economy. Therefore, we will stress the necessity for the Union to remain open for other European countries, who are following the path of the integration. We will also advocate a greater engagement of the EU with its neighbors in such values.

Ambassador Przemysław Grudziński speaking on EU enlargement at the Capitol Hill. From left: Senator George Allen (R-Virginia), Marc Grossman - Undescretary of State and Head of the Delegation of the European Commision Ambassador Gunther Burghardt.