Brussels, 24/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - The President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso on Monday congratulated the leader of the Polish conservative catholics, Lech Kaczynski, who won the second round of the presidential election in Poland against his liberal rival Donald Tusk. Mr Kaczynski, currently the mayor of Warsaw, will in December succeed the current President Aleksander Kwasniewski. “As we face the challenges of globalisation, I am sure that we will be able to work together constructively at a time when the European Union requires the engagement of all its members”, declared Mr Barroso in his message of congratulations to Mr Kaczynski. “Your country, Poland, has already demonstrated its commitment to Europe by bringing about the political and economic reforms necessary for accession to the European Union in a short space of time. Poland is a great country, not only because of her size and population, but also because of her political development, her economic potential and her history. She shares with all the member states of the European Union a common spirit of solidarity which is an important part of our common heritage”. Mr Barroso also paid homage to outgoing President Kwasniewski “who was deeply involved for a decade with the integration of Poland into the European Union. I am delighted that I will be able to work with you and your country towards the reforms which will ensure the European Union's fundamental place on the world stage”. Between the first and second rounds of the presidential elections in Poland, on 30 October, Mr Barroso received both candidates, Donald Tusk and Lech Kaczynski, in Brussels. At the European Council at Hampton Court, Poland will be represented by outgoing Prime Minister Marek Belka.