Systemic problem of Slovak-Polish cooperation It is a non -existent transport infrastructure. Among the countries, the only four -lane road or the railway line is still not a fast train. Ambassador Andrea Elscheková-Matisová said this in an interview with the Warsaw Newsletter TASR.
“I think there are not many countries in the EU that have such a bad infrastructure link as Slovakia has with Poland,” she stated. She added that missing motorways and weak rail connections It is also hampered by economic exchange and interpersonal contacts.
For this reason, the companies of both countries know little – Despite cultural, religious and linguistic proximity. “We have similar, close languages that evokes the feeling we know each other well but the reality is that We know only very superficially,“She said. More intensive contacts are in the border where they work ties between regions, families and entrepreneurs. “In the south of Poland, contacts and a sense of belonging are much more intense than in cities than Warsaw or Gdansk, where Slovakia works more distant, ” added.
Poles are most often associated with tourism. “The ordinary Poles evokes this skiing at Chopok, in Jasna, trips in the Tatras or folklore. Many Poles still think that Jánošík was Poliak, ” She noted with a smile Elschek-Matis.
She also met the theme of Jánošík in official negotiations. “One of the first questions I received from the Polish Foreign Minister was: ‘Who belongs to Janosik?’ added.
The perception of Slovaks is also reflected In surveys on sympathy where traditionally placed high, but have recently seen decline. “I have noticed this slump, but the neighbors from the Czech Republic also fell there. I think it is more related to the fact that the Poles travel more and the number of countries they know has expanded,” she explained. Nevertheless, according to her, sympathy for the Slovaks remains high.
Mutual knowledge can support a better transport connection. Ambassador appreciated the airlines Gdansk – Bratislava and Kosice – Warsawbut pointed out the absence of direct connection of the main locations. “I consider the fact that Bratislava and Warsaw is not a shortage that deprives us of the opportunity,”She said.
“In the past, it has been said that the Slovaks and Poles are as friends turning their backs. To some extent, it is still true, but I think we are increasingly facing each other,” she stressed. As examples contributing to better explosion, she mentioned cultural projects such as the performance of the ensemble Lúčnica, concerts of Slovak groups or publishing the publication Slovenské traces in Poland.
Slovakia and Poland are, according to Elschek-Matis, partners, no Mutual business links are lagging behind the options offered by the size of the Polish market and the location of both countries. “There’s still a lot to do to know each other better,” she concluded.
