Poland spent $8 million on development projects in Belarus in 2009
This money was spent to promote access to objective information, to support NGOs and small-sized businesses, to develop local self-rule and transborder cooperat
The IV Polish Development Aid Forum took place on September 18 at Warsaw
University's Library. The European Radio for Belarus has learned that
in 2009 Poland spent 24 million zlotys for projects in Belarus.
The
forum is an annual event organized by the Polish Ministry of Foreign
Affairs to present a report on the results of its development projects
in Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Afghanistan, Senegal, Cambodia and other
countries.
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"We
would like to draw your attention to several actions that we call
projects that, in our opinion, might lead to changes in such countries
as Belarus, Ukraine and other partner countries", said Marek Ziolkowski,
Director of Polish Aid Department at Poland's Foreign Ministry.
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Forum's
program also included other events, including the debates on economic
situation in Belarus, a film by Uladzimir Kolas "Ada's Gallery", African
and Asian dishes, various exhibitions, workshops and live music from
around the world.
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Some
statistics. In 2009, Poland implemented almost 160 projects worth a
total of 100 million zlotys ($33 million) in Eastern Europe, Africa and
Asia, including $8 million on projects for Belarus. Our country was the
second country after Afghanistan that was supported by Poland in terms
of funding. "We had 100 million zlotys. 35 million were allocated for
projects in Afghanistan. Projects for Belarus were in the second place
(24 million), followed by Ukraine (13 million) and Georgia (7 million).
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The
Polish aid in Belarus in 2009 focused on four fields: access to
objective information, support to civil society, including NGOs and
small businesses, development of local self-rule and transborder
cooperation, support to good governance intiatives.
Poland's
Deputy Foreign Minister Henryk Litwin said: "Our priority are media
projects. Besides, money is allocated for civil projects and for the
development of the private sector. However, one should not expect that
the Polish aid would be an element that could change Belarus".
In
an interview with Euroradio, Litwin explained why Belarus is an
important country for Poland. He said: "Belarus is a very important
country for Poland, because it is a country of people that are close to
us. Besides, Belarus is a neighboring country which resembles Poland in
terms of its transit position in Europe. We have common interests to a
significant decree. For these reasons, Belarus is clearly a priority
country for us".
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He
also noted that Bealrus has a good potential to join EU in the near
future. "I think Belarus has a great potential that could be used
quickly. But, presently, the government (in Belarus) is pursuing a
concept of the so called third-way development -- a place between the
West and Russia. This concept is understandable from various points of
view. We, Poland, try to promote another idea. We reckon that the idea
of integration gives countries of our size the best future in our
conditions and with our possibilities".
ERB's file:
Belarus-related projects funded by Polish MFA in 2009:
Belsat TV,
Radio Racyja,
Kamunikat.org,
Without Barriers -- for handicap people in Belarus,
Public transport service entrepreneurs in Belarus
Photo: Dasha Forman, Lena Sidoza, Polish Aid