[AJA Global Report] Growing Distrust Between Poland and Russia

In this photo taken on Monday, July 14, 2014, a woman passes by posters that express Polish opposition to Russia, in Warsaw, Poland. The posters imply a comparison of Russia today with Adolf Hitler's Germany. (Photo : AP/NEWSis)

Growing Distrust Between Poland and Russia

The Ukraine Crisis, Russian ban on Polish pork, energy and military security are just few conflict points in the Poland-Russia bilateral relations. Having its roots deep in both countries history, the growth of distrust between two countries and its societies seems to be unstoppable in the nearest future.

On the 11th November 2013, last year’s Polish Independence Day celebration, a group of Polish hooligans attacked the Russian embassy, throwing stones at the embassy’s gates and shouting slogans blaming Russia for the Soviet occupation. Moreover, both countries media coverage was greatly different at the attacker’s number and actions, making the social tension even stronger.

The July present year, the Red Army War Memorial in the Limanowa city in Poland was disassembled, provoking protest in Russian media and internet. According to the Limanowa city council, the memorial was so old, that people did not even know its meaning. However, many Polish netizens express their satisfaction, arguing that the Soviet Red Army did not liberate Poland, but only imprisoned it under the Soviet rule, while Russians take the action as a sign of disrespect and ingratitude after liberating Poland from Nazi forces.

Social distrust seems to be the mirror of the Poland-Russia growing competition on politic and economic areas, and only slowing down this competition might help both countries regain a bilateral respect.

Hitach/Budimex cooperation to build Turow power unit

The Mitsubishi Hitachi Power System Europe GMBH, Budimex and Tenicas Reunidas are to begin constructing a power unit in the Turow power plant. According to the Polish Press Agency(PAP), the contract between constructors and PGE Polish Energy Group is worth 3.99 billion polish zloty(1.31 billion US dollars).

The Turow power unit building is one of the biggest Polish/Asian construction company in the history. The tender for the construction was announced in June 2013, with Shanghai Electronic Group Company and Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction left behind.

By Michal Mocarski, Poland, AJA Global Reporter