To a Business Luncheon Hosted By the Government of Canada

Though all too brief, my stay in Poland will be a busy one. I have had a very productive meeting with Prime Minister Buzek. And I look forward to meeting other Polish leaders.

Tomorrow an important chapter of history will be remembered with the inauguration of a monument to the valiant Polish and Canadian soldiers who fought side-by-side during the Second World War.

And I will also have an opportunity to visit the Warsaw School of Economics and have a chance to meet Polish, Canadian and Ukrainian students.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is at places like the Warsaw School of Economics that you see the human face of the incredible transformation that is reshaping the new Poland. And where you get a taste of the spirit and resiliency of the Polish people.

After the terrible devastation of the Second World War, and the repression and stagnation of the Cold War, Poland has risen to meet the challenges of economic and political reform. To embrace the opportunities offered by their new freedom, the new Europe and the new century.

The obstacles they have had to face are fundamental and pressing. Entailing nothing less than undoing the forty years of history that had interrupted their democratic development: reforming government, the complex process of privatization, creating an independent judiciary, modernizing the education system, and restoring the environment.

Many of those challenges are faced by other countries, including Canada. But very few have had to face them all at once. For the achievements it has made in ten short years, Poland deserves our applause.

Canada and Poland share many common challenges. We are both middle-sized powers with large and powerful neighbours. With whom we closely cooperate while defending our rights and advocating our values and ideals. And -- of course -- we both know the joys of winter!

More seriously, we have been able to both share and learn from each other's experiences. I am proud that Canada has played a positive and supportive role in helping build the new Poland.

When the Government of Poland called on the international community for assistance in the early 1990's, Canada was among the leaders in answering the call. Much of our assistance has taken the form of debt writeoffs, in the amount of $1.7 billion. This has helped ease the government's severe debt service obligations, allowing it to invest and spend to better meet the needs of the Polish people.

We have also supported assistance through the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. And finally, we have offered bilateral technical assistance, with creative projects in key sectors through the Canadian International Development Agency.

Poland, along with the Czech Republic and Hungary, will shortly join NATO. As you know, Canada fought long and hard for the candidacy of Poland. We welcome this historic moment and we will help to keep the door open to future enlargement.

We also commend the role played by Poland in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The OSCE is a driving force in consolidating and promoting the values of the "New Europe." And Poland's chairmanship of the OSCE last year -- during a trying time --was exemplary, indeed.

I know that one of the key -- and constant -- objectives of Poland remains membership in the European Union. Canada believes that the enlargement of the EU will have positive political and economic benefits, and we wish Poland full success in these efforts. We enjoy excellent relations with the EU and we know that Poland will remain sensitive to Canadian interests before and after she gains entry.

Ladies and gentlemen, Canada's partnership with the new Poland is strong. But it extends well beyond government to government cooperation. It is not only when our politicians and officials meet that we can change the lives of our people for the better.

First and foremost, our friendship has a profound human dimension. We follow the footsteps of immigrants and travellers. Of business people and investors. Of scholars and students.

Most of our early travellers to Poland had roots in this country. Either because they were born here or because their parents or grandparents were. Our large and dynamic Polish-Canadian community brought with them the bedrock value of hard work. A treasure of cultural experiences, of scientific knowledge, and of community spirit. They not only have become a vital part of our diverse national identity, but have also been a model for other communities of immigrants who followed.

In this room today, we have an impressive array of Canadian business travellers. Eager to show off their expertise and know-how. To lay down new roots of commerce and prosperity. They are here because they see in the new Poland a place of opportunity. In fact, their presence is a strong vote of confidence in what Poland has accomplished these past ten years -- and in her future.

They see promise in telecommunications, information technologies, agriculture and agri-food, environmental technologies, construction, energy, natural resources, and services. Canadian investors are also warming to new ventures in Poland. And I am proud to see the likes of McCain Foods, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, Royal Technologies, CADIM -- to name but a few -- with operations here.

But if this luncheon is in part a celebration of the success of Poland, it is also about putting the economic renaissance of Canada on display. One of balanced budgets, low interest rates and low inflation. Where the unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest point in over eight years Where we have regained the resources to invest wisely in the skills of our people and to prepare our nation to prosper in the new knowledge economy. One of enduring economic strength -- even in the face of international turmoil.

We want the rapidly expanding private sector in Poland to understand that Canada is more than a friend and partner in the cause of economic and political reform. By the example of this outstanding delegation, we also want them to think of us as a great business partner. With creative entrepreneurs, cutting-edge technologies, skilled workers, and an excellent quality of life. To think of us as a gateway to the lucrative NAFTA market of close to 400 million people.

To think of us as one of the best places in the world to invest and do business.

Ladies and gentlemen, the impressive turnout here today is a signal -- a strong signal -- for the future. But, as good a salesman as I try to be, I also know that a visit by a Prime Minister is not in itself guarantee of success.

That will require patient and long-term effort. That we build on existing ties of people, culture and diplomacy and develop new ones. I want to assure everyone here today that our government is -- definitely -- in this for the long term.

I firmly believe that the more Canada and Poland get to know one another better the more we will see what we have in common. And we will only get to know one another better by multiplying our contacts: government to government, business to business, and people to people.

That is why I want to see more young Canadians studying here, and more young Poles studying in Canada. That is why I look forward to seeing more Canadian companies, universities and non-government organizations working with their Polish counterparts in other countries -- in Ukraine for example.

As the new century approaches, Poland has reclaimed its rightful place among the community of nations. She has thrown off the yoke of stagnation and is breathing again the air of freedom. She is showing the emerging nations of Eastern and Central Europe the prosperity and stability that awaits those who stay the course of economic and political reform.

As her historic transformation continues, Canada looks forward to opening new and exciting frontiers in our relationship with Poland. To working together as never before to build prosperity and a better quality of life for both of our peoples.

Judging by what I have seen today, that interest is very much returned.