Summary of a meeting between Foreign Minister Peres and Foreign Minister Bartoszewski of Poland

Israel-Poland relations have warmed up considerably since the visit of Prime Minister Rabin to that country in 1993. Trade, tourism and economic contacts have expanded. The two countries were also consulting on various regional and international matters. Poland has requested Israel, on a number of occasions, to help it secure loans and business contacts in Europe and the United States. The visit of Foreign Minister Bartoszewski was another chance to review the bilateral ties and to brief the Polish minister on the status of the peace process. Text:

Foreign Minister Shimon Peres met yesterday (Wednesday), 10.05.95, with his Polish counterpart Wladyslaw Bartoszewski and praised Poland's progress, as compared to other former eastern bloc countries, in democratization and in moving to a market economy. He added that this is the best guarantee for close relations with Israel, after 1,000 years of common history between the Jewish and Polish peoples - a history that has known both days of glory and the Holocaust. The Polish minister - a former prisoner at Auschwitz - said that he has a special regard for Israel and the Jewish people and thus, he sought to visit Israel shortly after assuming office.

In response to a question from Mr. Bartoszewski, Foreign Minister Peres explained that Israel aspires to bring about an end to the conflict between itself and the Arab countries, so that the only boundary remaining in the Middle East will be that between those who support the peace process and those who support fundamentalism. With some of our partners in discussion, the path has been successful and with others, negotiations are underway. Peres said that, "Given though I do not understand what is preventing President Assad from advancing towards peace, Israel is determined to achieve a comprehensive settlement with the entire region." Mr. Peres promised that Israel would positively consider Mr. Bartoszewski's request to support Poland's candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. He also said that Israel will encourage the European Union to invite Poland to the European-Mediterranean Sea conference in Barcelona in November. Bartoszewski expressed his wish that Israeli young people who visit Poland to honor the victims of the Holocaust, would also take the opportunity to meet with their Polish counterparts, which would lay the groundwork for building good relations between the two peoples. Minister Peres replied that he wholeheartedly supported the idea.