Poland is a member of the European Union (EU, since 1st May 2004), a founding member of the World Trade Organization (WTO, since 1995), member of Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD, since 1996), and a number of other international economic organizations (i.e. IMF, UNIDO etc.). This membership allows Poland to strengthen economic cooperation with other countries.

In joint effort with other EU countries, Poland expresses its support for wider liberalisation of international trade. The results of the WTO Hongkong Summit in December 2005 showed that this is possible. The Hongkong Conference brought the long-awaited progress in agricultural negotiations. Developed countries, including the EU, decided to liberalise this sector in advantage of developing countries by gradual elimination of export subsidies (to a full abolition of subsidies in 2013), confirmation of urgent need to cut down on internal support to agriculture and reduction of the highest custom tariffs. These decisions influence the accessibility of the EU market (including Polish market), also for the EU trade partners. Moreover, EU has granted a quota- and tariff-free access to its market for the goods from the least developed countries from 2008.

Polish membership in OECD, an organisation of 30 most developed countries of the world, resulted i.a. in introduction of more liberal rules of capital flow, confirmed the position and strength of Polish economy, facilitated access to foreign and international financial sources to the Polish Government and companies. Still, it is the membership in the European Union that brings the most profound economic impact. These are both advantages of free trade with no barriers and boundaries, and of the inflow of additional financial resources from European funds, which allow Poland effectively bridge the gap in the economic development.

Thanks to increased international cooperation with other countries and to global liberalisation processes, in which Poland actively participates since 1989, Polish economy has developed rapidly for the last 15 years. It is best proved by the increase of Polish exports (see Chart 20.1). It should be stressed that most of international trade is realised with the other EU members – in 2005 80% of all the imports were realised with other EU member states, and exports to these countries = almost 80% of all Polish exports.

Chart 20.1