Ukraine's western neighbour voted FOR being a part of the European Union!

[Zbyszek]

I can't admit I am delighted when presenting this, still unofficial, information in the Ukraine.com forum: 82% of all Polish people participating in the yesterday's and today's referendum (the estimated participation ratio was 56% which makes the procedure binding) supported the idea of Poland as a member of the European Union, one of the greatest communities around the globe.
I believe it is important information also for Ukraine.
As it is widely known, Poland was the first country in the world to recognize the independent Ukraine. Poland endorsed and encouraged Ukranian efforts of remodelling its system to a market economy.
Now, it would be deplorable if Ukraine felt as if abandoned behind a new kind of iron curtain.
Poland and Ukraine made preliminary agreements as to free-of-charge visas for the Ukrainain citizens touring in Poland. The PL-UA border must be porous enough to promote cultural exchange all other flows of decent ideas while being impenetrable enough for all kinds of criminal activity including alcohol trafficking.
As it was repeatedly discussed in the History forum, Poland is an experienced country as to the idea of UNITING Slavic or Baltic lands. The results have to be assessed as a mixed blessing but I hope that this time Ukraine will have MUCH less reasons to be afraid of its possible share to the EU with Poland as a participant. I know that Ukraine must decide for itself and I know that the decision-making process will take years.
Yet, I see a piece of light in the tunnel end.

For the Poles, it is a History Day, so Ladies and Gentlemen open your champagne bottles and drink for the better future of Poland and for the brighter future of Ukraine.

[Ulysses]

and may Poland have a better and more prosperous future.

[Zbyszek]

Originally posted by Ulysses
and may Poland have a better and more prosperous future.

Thank you Ulysses for your congrats.
The offsial results of the referendum are only slighty different from the first ones:

77.45 FOR EU
22.55 AGAINST EU

Participation rate was 58.85 %

Poland is large enough to have its happier western side + Warsaw area, voting at the rate of nearly 90% FOR EU and more bitter eastern side, adjacent to Ukraine and Belarus voting at merely 60% FOR EU.
Yet, the overall result makes me very hopeful.
BTW, it is interesting how volatile the social opinion is in Poland. About half a year ago, only slightly more than 50 % of statistical repondents said YES to the EU.
Then, the Pope said a few vague words like: Poland needs Europe and Europe needs Poland in San Petro plazza two weeks ago.
The clergy, although deeply divided over the issue, dared not loudly voice against the Polish admission.
Again, it is almost sure that the Pope has not only a magic but a damn real and a very positive influence on the nation as a whole.

[AlexUA]

Hi there! I congratulate all the Polish people with this important step to the Europe! Nice job and good exapmle for Ukraine. Hope someday Ukraine will join EU too.
Cheers!

[Volodya987]

Not long ago Ukrayina have Big Number wun in Moskva, for many long years. You sure Ukrayina need new Big Number wun
in "Brussel Sprouts", or "Laundryton". Better big Number Wun for Ookrayina in "XtoYiv".
Volodya987

[The_James]

Sorry to disagree with you, but I donЄt see pleasure in this whole positive-EU opinion. I see it as that more nations are only joining to make money (not that that is a bad reason) but then they are signing away immense amounts of their independence, I think it is better Russia controling eastern Europe than France and Germany.

[AlexUA]

As far as I understand a current politikal situation around the Ukraine we have at least 3 different ways of our development afterwards.
1.Trying to keep a eurointegration thread (still me thinks that 2013 is a real date),
2.Back to the 'good future' with Russia, perharps we've had enough of that? Russia is still empire and as any empire it's trying to keep its integrity. Ukraine is a nice piece for Russia and it is not a secret, that Russia is ready to have join with the Ukraine right now( old sterotypes are still working), unlike EU.
3.To stay outside of the world political procsses and to keep stupid politics "my house on the edge" Worsest variant.
I'm sure it's clear for everyone, I just repeat simple things In layman's terms.
Yet i do know, that majority of Ukrainians will say NO to Russian control this territory.