Interview with the Mayor of Gdansk

What are your expectations for your own city in connection with the enlargement ?

EU membership is a great opportunity, but at the same time it can be easily wasted. Gdansk has prepared well for that membership. The city has built a framework of the new administration prepared to acquire and handle the EU funds. The city prepared the Long-term Investment Plan and the City Regeneration Programme for the next 20 years. Both plans are necessary when applying for the European funds. Soon we will open a special division responsible for coordination of all European projects prepared by the city. This division will be also responsible for adjusting the routines of city departments to the EU standards. Proper preparation means also large investments in environmental protection and extensive activity on the international arena. In 2002 Gdansk as the first city in Poland opened its representation office in Brussels. This fact drew attention of many EU institutions. Gdansk strongly supports the efforts of Pomeranian Voivodeship to establish a regional office in Brussels which would absorb Gdansk representative in order to carry out a joint lobbying for the city and for the region. Gdansk will also continue to be active in the most important international organisations such as Eurocities, Telecities, UBC, as well as in the Union of Polish Metropolies, as such activity brings both prestige and measurable profits.

Do you think the identity of your citizens will be more European ?

Much depends on that what knowledge about the EU our citizens have. In spite of all, I am convinced that Gdansk citizens will find themselves very well in the united Europe. Since ages Gdansk was functioning as international city. Europe has always been here, perhaps except for the Soviet times. Mentality of Gdansk citizens began to change already in 1990, since the creation of the Third Republic of Poland.

In what direction do you think EU will develop after the enlargement ?

After the EU enlargement we will still have the Europe of motherlands and the Europe of citizens. I think that the countries will maintain their identity and the citizens will feel European. For sure the EU will not become the United States. In Europe the passports will not be needed, but the borders will remain. There will also remain a strong national identity, which is characteristic for example for Poland.

Pawel Adamowicz
Mayor of Gdansk, Poland