Janusz Onyszkiewicz, the Vice-President of the European Parliament

An interview with Janusz Onyszkiewicz, a Polish Euro-Deputy, the Vice-President of the European Parliament.

- How do you assess the chances of Poland and Ukraine to host EURO 2012?

- It will be difficult to win the right to host EURO 2012. Italy is a formidable competitor for us. But I do hope that in our case an important role will be played by the factor of promotion of the idea of football in the Central and Eastern European region, where football is either less developed or might be developed much better.

An important factor should be constituted by the element of promoting the cooperation between countries of Europe. The fact that we are submitting the bid jointly with Ukraine should be an advantage of our candidature that will improve our chances.

I also wish to underline that being granted the right to host EURO 2012 by our countries requires full mobilization of resources and adequate lobbying in support of this idea abroad.

- In your opinion – what prospects for Poland and Ukraine are related to hosting of EURO 2012?

- If we are granted the right to host EURO 2012, that will be a very important fact not only for football but also for the world of politics. Championships are visited by great masses of people, who will have an opportunity to see Poland – a new European Union member state, and Ukraine – aspiring for Union membership.

EURO 2012 is a very important example of Polish-Ukrainian cooperation, which lies in the most profound interest of both Poland and Ukraine. This cooperation can bring Ukraine closer to Europe. It will be also another testimony of the process of Polish-Ukrainian reconciliation, which develops so well.

- What can EURO 2012 mean for Ukraine in the context of its aspirations for UE membership?

- The fact that so many people will come to Ukraine, that they will see what Ukraine looks like. What Ukraine is and what it can be. This will bring Ukraine closer to Europe, which is highly deficient in knowledge about this country.

Ukraine emerged from that enormous outgrowth that was USSR. The significance of Ukraine only begins to be recognized by Europeans. A good impulse was provided by the support campaign for orange revolution and restoration of democracy in Ukraine. This process, however, was limited to elites. In the case of hosting EURO 2012, ordinary people will come to Ukraine, ones whose opinion will determine also whether Ukraine is accepted into the European Union or not.

One needs to bear in mind that in line with the decision of France any EU enlargement with subsequent states, after potential accession of Croatia, will have to be preceded by national referenda. And those will be ordinary people who will have to voice their opinions whether they agree for another enlargement.

Janusz Onyszkiewicz, the first civilian deputy minister of national defense,
and later the Minister of National Defense in the years 1992-93, 1997-2000,
a co-author of Poland’s accession to NATO.
In the years 2004-2007 the Vice-President of the European Parliament.
The Chairman of Polish Alpinism Association. In 1975 he climbed the crest
of Gasherbrum II (8035 m) and was the first to ascend Gasherbrum III
(7952 m). The first person ever to descend into the bottom of Snow Cave.
Awarded with Gold Medal for Outstanding Sport Achievements.