European Parliament Mourns With Poland
Wednesday 14 April, 2010
Timothy has expressed his deepest condolences to the Polish people in a letter to Acting Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski after the death of 96 people who were on their way to commemorate the tragic events in World War II in Katyn.
In the letter, he writes:
"Since 1989 the ties of personal friendship between our peoples have grown ever stronger. Given our shared history, we in Britain have a particular place for Poland in our hearts. More recently, and in happier circumstances, the relationship between Poland and the United Kingdom has deepened with the exchange between our two countires of so many of our citizens to work and travel. Our peoples are closer than ever and as a result we feel your loss especially deeply.
President Kaczyński was a good friend to Britain and to the Conservative Party. As a Head of State coming from a sister party he supported and nurtured our deepening relationship. We, in our delegation in the European Parliament, feel that in a very profound sense we have lost one of our own leaders.
We remember all those who perished with him and his wife near the sacred site in the history of your country. Poland has lost many loyal and devoted servants. As the eyes of the world turn to a nation in mourning, it is testament to their historic achievements that the nation we see is not only one of sorrow and grief but also of unity and strength.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the Polish people during this time of tragedy."
On Tuesday, Timothy attended a memorial in the European Parliament for those who died in Katyn. With the recent tragic events, the commemoration of the soldiers killed in World War II has gained added significance. It was especially poignant because the organiser was one of those who perished in the plane carrying dignatories to Smolensk. European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek and Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso both attended and spoke at the memorial.
Today, Timothy attended a commemoration ceremony in the Hemicycle of the European Parliament for the victims of Saturday's plane crash, which killed Polish President Lech Kaczyński, his wife and other top political leaders and officials. The names of all the 96 victims were read out and President Buzek spoke. For more coverage click here.
