Brussels, 29/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - The social-democrat grouping at the European Parliament feels that Poland should not delay joining the euro if its wants to wield genuine influence on big European issues, like banking union.
“The eurozone is the core of a strong Europe. If Poland remained a member of the EU without joining the euro, it would stay outside of this core. It is time for Poland to be inside and able to influence the future of the EU and fight against existing imbalances in the current system”, argued the leader of the S&D Group, Hannes Swoboda of Austria, in Warsaw on Thursday 28 November for the Relaunching Europe conference. The head of the Polish delegation in the S&D, Wojciech Olejniczak, said: “There are obvious advantages for Polish people, such as for tourism and travelling. Recent figures show that joining the euro would be worth €120 billion for Poland. Poland was already well advanced in its preparations to join the euro. However, the Conservative government has halted these efforts”. (MB/transl.fl)