THE Taoiseach had what he described as a "very substantial and detailed" meeting with the Polish Prime Minister, Mr Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, yesterday at the start of his two day visit to Poland.
Afterwards, Mr Bruton said that the Government strongly supported Poland's application for membership of the European Union.
"Obviously we addressed the concerns that have to be overcome", he added. "We in Ireland believe it is important that in enlarging the Union we do not dilute or reduce the common policies in agriculture or social development. We want to widen and strengthen the European Union."
Responding to Poland's hopes of close liaison in the work of the Inter Governmental Conference on the development of the EU, the Taoiseach said it was important Poland's views should be heard, and he had discussed how this could be done with Mr Cimoszewicz and the Polish Minister in charge of EU relations, Mr Jacek SaryuszWolski.
He also announced that the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, and her opposite number in Poland would meet soon to discuss co operation in combating international crime, particularly drug related. Similar ministerial contacts are also planned to discuss trans border nuclear pollution.
"Neither Poland nor Ireland has nuclear facilities," he said, "hut both are vulnerable from neighbouring countries."
Ireland's exports to Poland have multiplied more than seven times since 1990, while imports have remained static, resulting in a negative balance for Poland last year of nearly £100 million. But Mr Bruton pointed out that Poland's "tremendous progress" in economic development since adopting the free market had been of direct benefit to Ireland.
Yesterday, he laid a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier in Warsaw, delivered a lecture on the Irish perspective on the challenges facing the EU, and travelled to the farm of the Polish Minister of Agriculture, Mr Roman Jagielinski, at Babsko, nearly 50 miles from the capital.
Before leaving for home today, he will meet the President, Mr Aleksander Kwasniewski, and members of the Polish Parliament (Sejm) and Senate.