Aleksander Kwaśniewski, who was president from 1995 to 2005, says he has always been a fervent advocate of Poland's membership in both NATO and the EU.
During his presidency, Poland joined the Western military alliance in 1999 and the European bloc in 2004.
A strong proponent of European integration, Kwaśniewski actively campaigned for the signing of the EU accession treaty in 2003, leading to Poland entering the bloc on May 1, 2004.
'Joining a family, not just a club'
"We joined the club, and as a Euroenthusiast, I say this is more than just that—it's joining a family," he told Radio Poland in an exclusive interview.
Twenty years later, Poland is a proud member of this European family, he said, as the country prepares to mark the anniversary.
Radio Poland's Danuta Isler spoke to him at the headquarters of his Amicus Europae Foundation in Warsaw to find out more about the membership negotiations and the benefits that followed.
Former Polish president Aleksander Kwaśniewski pictured at the headquarters of his Amicus Europae Foundation in Warsaw. Photo: Danuta Isler/Radio Poland
Click on the audio player above to listen.
To hear the full interview tune in to the special edition of our News From Poland magazine on Wednesday, May 1, at 14:00 CET.