WARSAW, Poland — Poland and other nations marked the 15th anniversary of their membership in the European Union with a leaders’ summit in Warsaw, while far-right critics observed the occasion with protests Wednesday against the 28-nation bloc.
Besides Poland, other countries that joined the EU on May 1, 2004, were Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia. The embrace of the 10 countries was the largest single expansion in the EU’s history.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki hosted government heads and officials from the 10 countries in Warsaw. Leaders from Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia, which joined the EU later, were also present.
State and public observances, including rallies and singing of the EU hymn, “Ode to Joy,” stressed Poland’s appreciation for the growth and development it has achieved.
Hundreds of far-right EU critics, meanwhile, protested outside the summit’s venue and then walked to the EU’s mission, chanting slogans against what they called the “dictate of Berlin and Brussels.” Their pro-EU opponents tried to stop the legal march but were removed by the police.