Poland in Lebanon

Dear Friends,

It takes plenty of time and great effort for solidarity and care to build. It takes no time and little effort for hatred and brutality to destroy.

I prepared my talking points for this gathering for the first time a year ago when we were planning to hold a conference on our development cooperation in 2020. Covid pandemic prevented that. Then we were forced to change the day of our meeting two more times. Always due to the Covid considerations. And with time, my talking points were changing as well.

But the day that all of us can actually meet in person have finally come. All of us have for the past two years worked hand in hand to build. All of you have put your trust in Poland, the Embassy, my staff and myself and you, most importantly, have trusted yourselves. We all were convinced that with a right cause, good ideas, dedication and available funds we can make the difference. To make lives of the people that call Lebanon their home a bit better. To open doors, remove obstacles, show opportunities, prove that no one should ever be left alone.

And for that I thank you.

 

Dear Friends,

Our attitude, our convictions, our hopes for better future were once more tested few days ago with the brutal, unprovoked and senseless aggression of Russia and Belarus on Ukraine. Ukraine that is our neighbour, their neighbour! Ukraine that we all, in our part of Europe, share history with, family ties, culture and future. And we all can see now the destruction, loss of lives, trauma, broken dreams. For no cause. For nothing.

So one may ask: why struggle, why put all the efforts, why help, why build? Why, if in an instant, all that had been built could be destroyed, annihilated, as if it had never existed? Why build for decades if an aggressor can kill your child, destroy your house, make you a jobless refugee in just a second?

And I would answer: because it is worth it. The history of Lebanon, Poland and so many other nations around the world, and right now, the brave Ukrainians, show us that determination of those who believe that hope, dialog, justice, selflessness, solidarity is fundamental for mankind and for our world.  

And now, despite destruction, grief and sorrow, we can also see heroism, altruism, perseverance and resilience. And this is the spirit that should be an inspiration for all of us. This is how we should tackle the challenges we face in our communities, municipalities, in Lebanon, in the world. 

In gratitude for the encouragement and inspiration coming from our Ukrainian friends I would like to honour all of those who paid the highest price for defending their country with a moment of silence.

 

Dear Friends,

In a while we will share with you what we have been working on together for past two years. It was a difficult and challenging time especially for the Lebanese. The nation was faced not only with a political uncertainty but also with unprecedented economic crisis, pandemic and the horrifying explosion in the port of Beirut.

Poland has received a great support from our friends from all around the world when it was most needed for our transformation and development after 1989. Now, to the best of our capabilities, we are offering our solidarity and assistance to those who are in challenging situation. We were doing so for Lebanon for the past years, as well as we are being the first to help Ukraine in these dark days.

Therefore I am really happy that despite all the challenges, together we were able to bring a positive change and assistance to those who were in need.

And I am so pleased to finally see you all gathered here in one place for a recognition of our collective achievements.

Once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for all your trust, dedication and friendship.