Poland to challenge EU partners during presidency

(WARSAW) - Poland painted itself as a saviour of the European project, while accusing fellow member states of selfishness and short-sightedness, as it began its six-month presidency of the EU.

Times have changed since this nation of 38 million people was led by twin brothers Jaroslaw and Lech Kaczynski of the conservative Right and Justice party, a government considered hostile to the European Union.

Since 2007, under Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Poland has taken a sharp turn. Opinion polls show strong support for the EU at a time when frustration with the union is growing in "old Europe".

As he took the rotating presidency Friday, Tusk implicitly criticised larger countries like Germany, France and Italy, accusing them of putting "egotistical national interests" at the heart of the union.

Tusk worried about "the birth of a phenomenon" where politicians say they are favourable to more EU integration but at the same time "suggest actions or decisions that weaken" it, he said.

Warsaw was particularly angered by salvos against the Schengen agreement from Paris and Rome calling for stricter border controls in what is meant to be a no passport zone.

Adam Casser, an advisor to Tusk, said "there are those who want to maintain European cohesion and others who want it shattered."

In a case used to illustrate the point, on Sunday Poland accused the Netherlands of trying to renege on EU policies by putting forward a law to limit the number of migrant workers -- many Polish -- working on its territory.

Polish European Affairs Minister Mikolaj Dowgielewicz said "very robust discussions" had taken place with the Netherlands and he hoped the Dutch government would respect EU laws.

-- Eurozone bailout schemes --

Though not yet a member, Poland intends to make its views known on the future of the eurozone during its presidency.

On Sunday, Polish Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski criticised the billions of euros promised in bailout schemes in favour of Greece, Ireland and Portugal.

The existing plans need "a lot of improvements" said Rostowski, calling them too focused on debt reduction and not enough on growth.

And despite being legally bound to adopting the euro, Warsaw refuses to set a date for joining the common currency.

Before Poland drops the zloty, Tusk has said the EU must provide an effective system to prevent future crises.

"Who would want to enter the euro area now? We'll see once the eurozone is out of the hospital," European Minister Dowgielewicz said.

During its presidency, Poland intends to attend eurozone meetings to keep appraised of debates at this crucial moment for Europe and the euro.

Eurozone countries have resisted Poland's presence, afraid of setting a precedent.

But after what Prime Minister Tusk called a "lively debate" between Warsaw and its partners, the Eurogroup -- the entity that unites eurozone countries -- said it was prepared to invite Poland to its next meeting.