Polish-American contacts are four centuries long, but state relations could only be established after WW I.

A ceremony marking 90 years of official relations between the Republic of Poland and the United States of America has been attended by Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski and US ambassador Victor Ashe. Both stressed that looking at Polish-US relations is not only dwelling on the glorious past with names of Polish-American heroes such as generals Pulaski and Kosciuszko.

Most recent history has shown US reciprocity for Polish aspirations to sovereignty and democracy while struggling with Soviet imposed communist domination. For the past twenty years a truly independent Poland has been pursuing an entirely new chapter in its relations with the United States.

Now, the two countries share much more in common enjoying genuine partnership. Evidence of Washington's trust in its Central European ally is the agreement on locating strategic elements of the US missile defense shield on Polish territory signed last year. Minister Sikorski voiced hope the new White House administration will continue with the project.

Click on the audio icon to listen to the report by Slawek Szefs.