Poland's President Andrzej Duda gave a speech during official commemorations of the National Independence Day. "We have always been and will be a part of Europe based on Christian values, which are the foundations of our tradition and culture," he said. The president also referred to the situation at the border with Belarus: "a time has come when we have to protect the homeland". He also blamed the Belarusian regime for launching hybrid warfare against Poland and the European Union.
In a speech marking the National Independence Day, given at the Piłsudski Square in Warsaw, President Andrzej Duda referred to a famous quote by Poland's legendary leader, who had once said that a nation without remembrance, without respect for its symbols, is only a gathering of people residing in a given territory at a given time.
"We have always been and will be a part of Europe based on Christian values, which are the foundations of our tradition and culture," Duda said.
"I thank God for Poland, and that for more than 30 years we can celebrate our independence, enjoy our state, which we govern ourselves, and decide for ourselves," the president said.
"I thank all those who through generations fought for free, sovereign and independent Poland," he added.
Referring to the migrant crisis at the border with Belarus, President Duda said that "a time has come to protect the homeland".
"We must do it with sacrifice, through sleepless nights, in cold and hardship, in a very difficult situation we have been put in by the hybrid warfare of the Belarusian regime launched against Poland and the European Union," the president said.
Earlier that day, Andrzej Duda laid wreaths at the monuments to Polish Independence Founding Fathers: Wincenty Witos, Ignacy Paderewski, Ignacy Daszyński, Roman Dmowski, Wojciech Korfanty, and Józef Piłsudski.
He also took part in a Holy Mass at the Temple of Devine Providence.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: tvn24