IN the first visit by a Polish head of state to Ireland, President Aleksander Kwasniewski has identified entry to the European Union and NATO as his twin "historical goals".
During a one-hour meeting with the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, in Government Buildings yesterday the Polish leader, who replaced Mr Lech Walesa in last year's elections, received full backing for admission to an enlarged Europe.
The "Irish side" also understood Poland's will to accede to NATO and appreciated its experience which prompted this wish, not for power's sake but for security reasons, Mr Kwasniewski added.
"To be in NATO means security for Poland, more security for central Europe and more security for everybody. Our membership of the European Union means all the countries of Europe are working together and have the same conditions, the same rules of development," he said.
Asked what he thought of Mr Boris Yeltsin's declaration that Russia might join the EU, Mr Kwasniewski replied that the Russian President was "kidding".
The Polish President and Mr Bruton also discussed trade co-operation between the two countries as well as investment, mutual cultural issues and combating crime.
According to Mr Kwasniewski, Poland's main task was to begin negotiations next year to gain full entry to the EU. His country was "well prepared" economically and, by the beginning of the next millennium, would be ready for full membership.
Before his visit to Government Buildings, he was greeted by the President, Mrs Robinson, at Aras an Uachtarain and inspected soldiers from the Fifth Battalion at Collins Barracks. Mrs Robinson said she believed that Ireland and Poland were closer now than they had ever been in the past.
During a visit to IBEC, he was told by Mr Tony Barry, the confederation president, that Ireland had been impressed by Poland's transition from a command to a market economy, from membership of the Soviet bloc and from dictatorship to democracy.
Last night President Kwasniewski was guest of honour at a State banquet at Dublin Castle. Today he addresses a session of the Joint Committees on Foreign Affairs and European Affairs.