POLISH PRIME minister Donald Tusk has indicated he would give strong support to the Taoiseach in the event that Bertie Ahern made a bid for the presidency of the European Council.
The two men met for almost two hours in Warsaw yesterday and Mr Tusk told Irish journalists afterwards: "In Europe there are very few politicians of such great calibre and authority as your prime minister. For Poland and for my part, if the Taoiseach has such an idea, such an intention, the approach of the Poles would be most certainly and most obviously favourable," he said.
The position of council president rotates among the member states but, in the event that the Lisbon Treaty is ratified, the role will be established on a long-term basis, with the appointment being made in the late summer of 2009.
The Taoiseach's name has been linked with the position, as well as former British prime minister Tony Blair. However, when asked if it interested him, Mr Ahern told journalists earlier this week: "I haven't thought about that."
The Taoiseach arrived in Warsaw from Vienna yesterday for his meeting with Mr Tusk, which was followed by a call on President Lech Kaczynski. It is understood that Mr Ahern urged the prime minister to unite with Ireland in resisting efforts to harmonise corporate taxes in the EU.
Mr Tusk said afterwards: "[ Irish] corporate income tax is half of what it is in Poland. We agreed with the Taoiseach on the tax system in Europe . . . I hope that at the end of my term it will be the Taoiseach who will be jealous of our tax system," he said.
But he was ambivalent when challenged directly as to whether he would oppose EU tax harmonisation: "I am aware that the reduction of corporate income tax was a crucial factor in the historic leap that was achieved by Ireland. The reduction of corporate income tax is also something that we would like to achieve," he said.
Expressing the warmth of his government and people towards this country, Mr Tusk said: "Years ago in Poland there was a hit song, the words of which were, 'I love you like I love Ireland' and these words today reflect our situation and our feelings perfectly."
He told Mr Ahern: "We remember that Poland's accession took place under the [ European] presidency of Ireland and under your presidency personally and that, without your involvement, the process would not have been as smooth and as swift, and for that I would like to once again express my appreciation."
The Taoiseach pointed out that, "Ireland was one of only three countries to open up our labour market fully to new member-states in 2004. The result is that we now have tens of thousands of Polish men and women working and participating in the life of Ireland every day. When I was here during the presidency four years ago there were no direct flights. Today there are 108 per week."
Mr Tusk presented the Taoiseach with a Polish-made hurley and Mr Ahern said: "Thirty per cent of all the hurleys that we use now . . . are made here in Poland."
When a Polish journalist asked Mr Ahern for advice on emulating Irish economic success, he replied: "It is the consistency of following policies and not changing, even if times are sometimes difficult, that ultimately brings you to at least relative success."
