WBJ #22 2012

Fan guide

Interview: Francis Fukuyama A Greek exit is “inevitable” 22-23

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VOLUME 18, NUMBER 22 • JUNE 4-10, 2012 . z∏.12.50 (VAT 8% included) . ISSN 1233 7889 INDEX-RUCH-332-127

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REAL ESTATE

Since 1994 . Poland’s only business weekly in English

Goal!

• Euro 2012 construction • Skanska in Wroc∏aw • Ghelamco goes retail 24-27

Chinese money The Bank of China is set to open its first branch in Poland this week 6

After five years of preparations, the moment millions of Poles have been waiting for is finally here.

WBJ presents a special 8-page feature on Euro 2012

SHUTTERSTOCK

13-20

The wrong words

BBC goes overboard

Barack Obama makes a regrettable gaffe, setting off a media storm in Poland

A documentary on racism and violence at Polish matches doesn’t tell the whole story 4, 10

4, 11

NEWS

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94.09% was the percentage of trains that arrived on time in the first quarter of 2012, according to the Polish Office for Railway Transport.

148

positions in Poland were filled by temporary workers last year, the most since 2007.

Quote of the Week “There were no Polish death camps.”

US President Barack Obama in his letter to Polish President Bronis∏aw Komorowski, expressing his regret over his use of the term “Polish death camps.” He had made the slip when posthumously awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Jan Karski, a Polish resistance fighter who warned allied leaders about the Holocaust. Poles would have preferred him to say a “German death camp in Nazi-occupied Poland.”

Figures in focus Child deprivation Percentage of children who lack two or more elements considered necessary for proper development, selected countries 80 60 *Most deprived in UNICEF’s ranking of 29 economically advanced countries **Least deprived

40 20

UK Ice lan d**

ain Sp

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David Ingham

500,000

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one of Europe’s outstanding keepers in the coming years.

The ability of these four players, and particularly Lewandowski’s ruthlessness in front of goal, could be the difference between Poland gaining a toptwo spot, and passage to the knockout stage, or once again failing to achieve at the highest level.

Recent results have also given Poland grounds for optimism. With nine wins and four draws in their last 16 games, including a 2-2 draw against highly rated Germany, it is obvious that coach Franciszek Smuda’s team is now headed in the right direction. And after not conceeding a goal for four games in a row, it seems that Poland may have finally found a way to keep a tight defense, just in time for when it really counts.

There are no easy games in the European Championships, but a win and two draws should be enough to get Poland out of the group, something which, although difficult, is achievable. If Poland can do this, anything else will be a bonus.

Source: UNICEF, based on 2009 figures

On WBJ.pl Right-bank retreat Formerly enjoyed as a hunting ground by the court of King August III, the 19th century saw Saska K´pa emerge as a weekend retreat of the privileged classes. Now home to the rich and even richer, the neighborhood is a perfect place for a summertime stroll.

Poles getting poorer Poles are becoming poorer, reported Rzeczpospolita. Their incomes are rising slower than prices and an increasing number of people are living in poverty. Last year, for the first time in six years, incomes did not grow as fast as prices did, according to recent data published by the Central Statistical Office.

A Pole’s average disposable income in 2011 amounted to z∏.1,227 per month – 1.4% lower than during the previous year, when adjusted for inflation. ●

pean players and is arguably the country’s strongest national team for almost 20 years.

In Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, the team has one of the sharpest marksmen in last season’s Bundesliga. With 22 league goals in his season-tally of 30, which included a hattrick in the German Cup Final, Mr Lewandowski was voted the Bundesliga’s player of the year, a remarkable feat for a man once rejected by Legia Warszawa for not being good enough for the professional game.

In midfield, Poland’s captain, and fellow Borussia star Jakub B∏aszczykowski is another standout player, while the final member of Poland’s Dortmund trio – attacking fullback ¸ukasz Piszczek – impressed so much during his club side’s league- and cupwinning campaign that Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is allegedly courting the player’s services for next year.

Behind them are the safe hands of 22-year-old Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szcz´sny, a player who could go on to be

Fra

Poland’s national soccer team begins its Euro 2012 campaign against Greece, in the tournament’s opening match at Warsaw’s new National Stadium on June 8. But while the country’s preparedness to host the showpiece event has been under the microscope in recent years, in many ways the national team’s sporting hopes have slipped under the radar.

When it comes to soccer, years of underachievement since the glory days of the 1970s and early 1980s has left the country’s fans with a pessimistic outlook whenever their side takes to the field.

Indeed, this attitude is so strong that even the draw which placed Poland in arguably the tournament’s most winnable group, alongside the Czech Republic, Greece and Russia, did little to sway many Poles’ belief that the team will likely not make it out of the group stage.

Yet this belief is based more on the events of the past than a cold, hard analysis of the facts. Poland’s squad currently boasts some of this year’s most highly-rated Euro-

is the number of projects the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency is currently involved in.

They are worth a total of €4.86 billion and are expected to create 36,120 new jobs.

al Pol an d Lith ua nia Gre ece

The Warsaw Chamber Opera is protesting against government cuts to its funding which are being carried out as part of a reduction in public spending on the arts in Poland. The group, which comprises an orchestra and choir, performed Mozart’s Requiem in front of Culture Ministry officials last Tuesday, to highlight what they feel is unfair treatment by the government.

is the number of visitors expected to come to Poland during Euro 2012, according to the tournament’s organizers.

ia*

Warsaw Chamber Opera cuts

750,000-1 million

ug

Representatives of the Polish government and the ruling Civic Platform (PO) party promise that they haven’t finished dealing with the country’s problems just yet.

However, they do admit that further reforms will be suspended for the duration of the Euro 2012 soccer championships, which run from June 8 to July 1.

Poland’s Euro 2012 chances

an

Reforms must wait for after tournament

Numbers in the News

Por t

Poland’s military police will have similar powers to their civilian counterparts during Euro 2012, as part of Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s plans to bolster security in the country this June.

Military police will be able to stop people and request that they show their identity cards, as well as carry out personal inspections.

They will also be able to use firearms in certain cases.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Ro m

Military to aid police at Euro 2012

JUNE 4-10, 2012

SHUTTERSTOCK

2

DATELINE

June 11

GEWINN

Event:

The GEWINN Real Estate Conference is a platform for commercial real estate and investments in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe – including Russia, CIS and Turkey.

Location:

Vienna

Web:

gewinn.com

12

KRAKÓW. OFFICES. INVESTMENTS.

Event:

This business breakfast is co-organised by Jones Lang LaSalle and the British Polish Chamber of Commerce. There will be a presentation called “Offices 2020” and a panel discussion with representatives of developers, bankers and occupiers from the Kraków market.

Kraków, Rubinstein Hotel bpcc.org.pl

Location: Web:

Company index Arch Magic ......................................26 Intuitive Motion................................31 Bank of China....................................6 JP Morgan Chase............................23 Bank Pekao ......................................8 KGHM ................................................6 BBI Investment ..............................25 Kury∏owicz & Associates ..........24, 25 Beiten Burkhardt, P. Daszkowski ..26 Liebrecht & Wood ..........................25 BZ WBK ..........................................29 LOT Polish Airlines ..........................4 CBRE ........................................24, 25 Medusa Group ................................25 Colliers International......................25 Millennium Bank ............................24 Commerz Real Invest...........................24 Obrascon Huarte Lain ....................24 EA Sports ........................................20 Orange Polska ................................20 Eko-Park ........................................24 PBG..................................................24 Energa ..............................................6 Peter Nielsen & Partners ................6 Fisheye Properties ..........................24 PGE ..............................................6, 19 GD&K Group....................................24 PKO BP..............................................8 Ghelamco Poland............................26 Polkomtel ........................................20 Grupa ING........................................25 PZU ....................................................6 Hags ................................................31 Savills ..............................................24 Hilton ..............................................25 Sberbank ..........................................8 Hoch-tief Polska ............................26 Holiday Inn ......................................25 Skanska Property Poland................25 Horwath HTL ..................................20 T-Mobile ..........................................20 Hoxton Street Monster Supplies ....31 Thinkgeek ........................................31 Hydrobudowa Polska ......................24 UniCredit ..........................................8

Correction: The article “Poland reluctant to foot post-2014 bill in Afghanistan” published on May 28, 2012, misstated the size of the Polish contigent in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. Poland has the 6th-largest contigent, not the largest. WBJ regrets the error.

Ibis ..................................................25 WSE ................................................29 Industrial and Commercial Bank of

X-Trade Brokers DM............................28

China ................................................6 ZBoard ............................................31

NEWS

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Poland-China shale gas cooperation?

Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister Waldemar Pawlak met with China’s Minister of Industry and Information Technology, Miao Wei, in Beijing last week. The ministers met to discuss the potential cooperation between both countries in the gas and energy sectors, specifically in the exploration of shale gas deposits. “Our research and development institutes could exchange knowledge and experience in this field,” Mr Pawlak told reporters.

Visa-free travel to the US? Poles may be able to travel to the US without a visa as early as this year, Rzeczpospolita reported.

“It’s one of the few matters that has the support of both parties,” said Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Thomas Nides during the Wroc∏aw Global Forum last Thursday.

According to Mr Nides, President Obama’s administration is “definitely in favor of including Poles in the non-visa program” and Congress could vote in favor of the measure this year.

US-Polish relations

Obama’s slip of the tongue causes outrage in Poland The US president’s use of the term “Polish death camp” angered Poles and sparked calls for an apology The White House has said that US President Barack Obama misspoke last week when he referred to a “Polish death camp” while posthumously awarding Jan Karski, a Polish hero who warned allied leaders about the Holocaust, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The remark drew immediate complaints from Poles who said the president should have referred to it as a “German death camp in Nazi-occupied Poland,” to distinguish the perpetrators from the location.

During a ceremony to honor 13 Medal of Freedom recipients, Mr Obama said that Mr Karski “served as a courier for the Polish resistance during the darkest days of World War II. Before one trip across enemy lines, resistance fighters told him that Jews were being murdered on a massive scale and smuggled him into the Warsaw Ghetto and a Polish death camp to see for himself. Jan took that

information to President Franklin Roosevelt, giving one of the first accounts of the Holocaust and imploring to the world to take action.”

“It’s a pity that such a dignified ceremony was overshadowed by ignorance and incompetence,” Polish Foreign Minister Rados∏aw Sikorski wrote on Twitter soon after.

Tommy Vietor, National Security Council spokesperson, in response to the Polish reaction, told the AFP that “the president misspoke. He was referring to Nazi death camps in Poland. We regret this misstatement, which should not detract from the clear intention to honor Mr Karski and those brave citizens who stood on the side of human dignity in the face of tyranny.”

However, this didn’t seem to satisfy Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who said the remarks

by President Barack Obama had hurt all Poles. He added that he expected more from

President Obama’s inaccurate remarks ruffled feathers in Poland the US than “regret.”

“I am convinced that our American friends can today allow themselves a stronger reaction than a simple expression of regret from the White House spokesman, a reaction more inclined to eliminate once and for all these kinds of

errors,” Donald Tusk told reporters at a specially convened press conference.

Polish President Bronis∏aw Komorowski struck a more conciliatory tone, saying Mr Obama’s words “do not reflect the views of our American friend” and were a “painful

mistake.”

In response, President Obama wrote a letter to his Polish counterpart saying he regretted the error and agrees that this moment is an opportunity to ensure people understand the truth.

Remi Adekoya, Gareth Price

Euro 2012

Former England star warns non-white fans could ‘come back in a coffin’

Polish foreign remittances falling In 2007, the 2.2 million Polish citizens living abroad transfered z∏.25 billion back home, which amounted to some 2.5% of Poland’s GDP, reported Gazeta Wyborcza.

However, since then the amount transferred has been declining. Experts from the Adam Smith Center think tank say the decline is for the most part the consequence of the financial crisis, which impacted the labor market in Western Europe.

In a BBC documentary on racism and violence in Poland and Ukraine, the former England soccer captain warned fans not to attend Euro 2012

COURTESY OF THE BBC

LOT resumes flights to Beijing LOT Polish Airlines resumed flights from Warsaw to Beijing last Tuesday following a period of four years during which the connection had been suspended, reported Gazeta Wyborcza. LOT had started flying to Beijing in 2008, but high costs led to it suspending the service. ●

JUNE 4-10, 2012

COURTESY OF THE WHITE HOUSE

4

Former England soccer player Sol Campbell

Former England national soccer team captain Sol Campbell stirred a hornets’ nest in Poland last week when he said in a BBC documentary on racism and violence at stadiums in Poland and Ukraine that non-white fans shouldn’t attend Euro 2012 for fear that they might “come back in a coffin.”

He also said UEFA should never have awarded the championships to the two countries in the first place.

“I think that they were wrong, because what they should say is that if you want this tournament you sort your problems out. Until we see a massive improvement, that you have sorted [it] out, you are never going to get the tournament.

You do not deserve these prestigious tournaments in your country,” he said.

Mr Campbell made these comments after he was shown footage of racist incidents in Polish and Ukrainian stadiums, including scenes of Ukrainian

hooligans beating up Asian fans during a game. There was also footage of Polish soccer fans chanting anti-Semitic slogans during league games and imitating ape sounds when black players had the ball.

The BBC documentary was aired after family members of black England internationals Theo Walcott and Alex OxladeChamberlain had announced that they would not be attending matches in Ukraine for fear of racist attacks.

The Polish Foreign Ministry issued a statement describing the opinions expressed in the documentary as “unfair.”

Prime Minister Donald Tusk also commented on the matter, saying that “nobody who comes to Poland will be in any danger because of their race.”

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also criticized the BBC documentary saying that the racism problems associated with their country are “dreamed up and mythical.” Remi Adekoya

NEWS

JUNE 4-10, 2012

Tourism

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Polish-Russian relations

Auschwitz bans flags and Russian fans hope to march soccer paraphernalia through Warsaw during Euro 2012 They claim the march is not political, but the potential for trouble remains

Visitors to the site of the former Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau will not be allowed to bring banners, flags, scarves, vuvuzelas or other soccer-related paraphernalia with them for the duration of Euro 2012, which runs between June 8 and July 1.

The ban will also include people carrying the Israeli national flag, which is often carried by visitors to honor victims and survivors of the Holocaust.

“We know that the emotions around sports tournaments are quite strong and we’d prefer that these emotions not be part of visits to this place of memory,” Auschwitz-Birkenau museum press officer Pawe∏ Sawicki told the AFP. In addition, the museum, which normally bans only large bags, has also banned small

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The camp museum’s operators want to keep emotions related to the tournament separate from visits to the site

At least four national teams will visit Auschwitz bags for security reasons.

“We decided during this time to increase our level of vigilance to safeguard the museum from any problems related to possible visits from people who might not want to approach it with complete respect,” Mr Sawicki added.

The Dutch, English, German, and Italian national teams have already confirmed that they will visit Auschwitz to pay their respects during their stay in Poland for the upcoming Euro 2012 tourna-

ment.

“It would be in an atmosphere of respect and remembrance for the victims of the concentration camp and in the kind of quiet and calm that is more conducive to discovering the history of the camp,” Mr Sawicki said, regarding any potential visits.

More than one million people perished at the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp between 1940 and January 27, 1945.

David Ingham

Russian fans coming to Warsaw for Euro 2012 are planning to organize a march on June 12, to celebrate Russia Day, a national holiday in the Russian Federation. Poland and Russia also play each other on that day.

City officials have already been notified of the Russian fans’ intentions.

There are security concerns about a potential backlash from those Poles who believe Russia was responsible for the April 10, 2010 Smolensk air disaster, which claimed the lives of Polish President Lech Kaczyƒski and 95 others. A number of Poles who hold this view are often found picketing outside the Presidential Palace. Next door is the Hotel Bristol, where the Russian national team will be staying during the tournament.

As WBJ went to press, it was still unclear whether the march would take place, as a formal application had still to be sub-

mitted to the relevant authorities. If the application is submitted and approved, it is expected that city officials and police will meet with the fan group to establish a route for the march to ensure maximum security.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk told reporters that he was not concerned with the Russian fans’ plans, stressing that he did not “believe that Russian fans are a group posing any particular security threat.”

Despite the skepticism of some Poles, Russian organizers claim that the event would be based strictly on tradition, not politics. They hope to hold a similar event before the GreeceRussia match on June 16.

According to Ivan Kuzniecov, the leader of the Russian fans group, as many as 5,000 Russian fans could participate in the march, playing on drums and trumpets.

Even though the march may not be politically motivated, a small spark could set off a larger fire, especially with so many strong emotions in such close proximity to one another.

Natalia Kopytnik

5

Polish children in poverty According to a UNICEF report into child poverty in European countries, almost 1.3 million children are living in poverty in Poland. The poorest children are those brought up by single parents, or by parents who did not complete higher education, according to the report. The UNICEF report shows that every fifth Polish child lacks at least two of the items considered necessary for the proper development of a child, including three meals a day, access to the internet and money to participate in school trips and events.

President signs pension reform President Bronis∏aw Komorowski signed into law Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s controversial pension reform bill, meaning incremental increases to the retirement age, starting on January 1, 2013, will see men retire at 67 from 2020 and women from 2040. ●

6

BUSINESS

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JUNE 4-10, 2012

Chinese investment

State-owned firms

Bank of China set to launch Polish operations

Treasury pushes state firms to raise dividends

SHUTTERSTOCK

Bank of China is the seventh-largest lender in the world

It aims to support Chinese investments in the country One of the world’s largest banks, Bank of China, plans to launch operations in Warsaw starting June 6, to facilitate Chinese investments in Poland.

It aims to use its base in the capital to help Chinese entities invest, in particular, in infrastructure, energy and new technology. Wenbo Hou, general manager of Bank of China in Poland, told the Polish Press Agency that Chinese companies may also be interested in the privatization of Polish firms.

“Europe is in a financial crisis, and the Polish economy still thrives and has been less affect-

ed by the crisis than other European countries,” Mr Hou said.

“We have analyzed the Polish market for two years, we decided that the Polish economy has great potential and we want to do business here.

There are also increasing numbers of Chinese companies in Poland or which have plans to enter the market,” he added.

“We want to concentrate on corporate banking, but we will also work in retail. We want to be a bank for Chinese companies investing in Poland and for Polish firms which are interested in doing business in China.”

The Chinese government is making available a $10 billion credit facility to support investment projects in the Central

and Eastern Europe region.

“These funds may be invested in three major sectors: infrastructure, new technologies and energy, including green industry. These sectors are the priority for us,” Mr Hou said.

Bank of China is being joined in Poland by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), which says rising trade and investment between the two nations has increased demand for banking services in Poland.

ICBC is the largest bank in the world by market capitalization ($240.95 billion), while Bank of China is in 7th place with $128.80 billion.

Gareth Price

Legal News Contact: Miros∏aw Stefanik ms@pnplaw.pl

Pension reform passed On May 24, 2012 the Senate adopted, with no further amendments, reforms to the Polish pension system. The legislation was later signed into law by the president.

The major change will see the retirement age increased to 67 for men and women.

Presently, the retirement age is 60 years for women and 65 years for men. Incremental increases to the retirement age, starting in January 1, 2013, will ensure men retire at 67 from 2020 and women from 2040.

Lower notary fee for development contracts Since May 26, an amended decree of the Minister of Justice on maximum notary

fee rates has been in force. From that date the notary office’s remuneration for drawing up a development contract has not been allowed to exceed half the notary fee. The same rule is also applicable to a sales contract for a property, or to a contract for transferring ownership rights to a purchaser of a detached house. The notary rate depends on the value of the property, meaning the more expensive a property, the higher the notary fee.

Moreover, a development contract is now a new type of contract (from April 29) under which a developer is obliged to establish, or to transfer for the benefit of a purchaser, ownership of a premise. The development contract is concluded in the form of a notary deed. ●

BROUGHT TO YOU BY PETER NIELSEN & PARTNERS LAW OFFICE

Poland’s State Treasury has forced through dividend payouts that were larger than what management had wanted at two of its largest listed companies – utility PGE and insurer PZU – and may squeeze additional cash from copper miner KGHM to fill gaps in the state budget.

At PGE’s annual meeting last week, the state pushed through a dividend of z∏.3.4 billion, nearly 40 percent more than the company had planned. At PZU, it won a dividend of z∏.1.9 billion, 10 percent more than the firm’s management had proposed.

PGE CEO Krzysztof Kilian said the higher dividend meant his firm could no longer pursue a z∏.7.5 billion takeover of smaller state-owned utility

COURTESY OF PGE

The government is pushing through high dividend payouts at state-owned firms as it looks to reduce the budget deficit

The Treasury’s dividend policy means PGE won’t be able to buy Energa Energa. “That money – which we will now have to hand over as dividends – that was money meant to finance the Energa takeover transaction,” Mr Kilian told reporters. “With this move, the Treasury has decided what we should do.”

In mid-May a court had backed a decision by the competition watchdog to block the PGE-Energa deal and Treasury Minister Miko∏aj

Budzanowski had said the merger looked “unlikely,” although PGE could still appeal the decision.

Meanwhile, the Treasury apparently wants copper giant KGHM to pay out z∏.4.8 billion (z∏.24 per share) in dividends to its shareholders from its 2011 profits instead of the z∏.3.4 billion the firm currently intends to pay out, according to business daily Parkiet. RA

Employment

Temporary employment on the rise in Poland The market, helped by the economic crisis, is starting to mature Companies in Poland are hiring more and more temporary workers, with around half a million positions filled with temp workers last year, according to Polskie Forum HR, an association of Polish temporary employment agencies. That’s 15 percent more than a year earlier and nearly 3 percent more than in the previous record year of 2007.

In 2011, more than 12,000 employers used the services of Polish employment agencies to find temporary labor, according to Polskie Forum HR. In 2005, that number was at 5,336.

“Not long ago, temporary workers in Poland were usually only hired by companies belonging to large, multinational groups,” said Agnieszka Zieliƒska, head manager at Polskie Forum HR. “Now, smaller Polish enterprises are more open to cooperating with temporary employment agencies,” she added.

The boom in employing temporary workers is partly the result of the Polish market being undeveloped in this area, she said.

“Only 0.7 percent of all employees are temporary in

Poland – this is very low compared to the rest of Europe.”

The economic crisis has also made employers more keen on temp workers, whom they can hire and fire more easily.

“After the round of firing following the effects of the economic crisis, temporary workers were the first to be re-employed,” Ms Zieliƒska said.

Call centers, IT firms and FMCG companies have been particularly active in their use of temporary workers in recent times, she added.

However, following a massive increase in turnover for the industry in 2010, things

slowed the following year and are starting to show signs of stabilization.

In the first quarter of this year, the combined turnover of agencies associated with Polskie Forum HR fell quarter-on-quarter from €128 million to €118 million. In annualized terms turnover rose, but by a smaller amount that in recent years.

“We are seeing the market stabilize this year, since the automotive industry – which has traditionally employed lots of temporary workers – is not doing so well and the minimum wage has been increased,” said Ms Zieliƒska.

Gareth Price

Temping by numbers Number of temporary workers and employers who used temporary workers, 2005-2011 Temporary workers (in thousands)

Employers using temporary workers

600

15,000

500

13,000

400

11,000

300

9,000

200

7,000

100

5,000

0

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

3,000

Source: Polskie Forum HR

BUSINESS

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Poland not a priority for Sberbank German Gref, president of lender Sberbank, announced that the Russian bank will not be entering Poland’s banking sector any time soon.

“Turkey is our numberone priority. We do not plan to go any further.

Poland – yes – but not in the near future,” Mr Gref said in an interview with Russian daily RBK, Parkiet reported.

Online sales soar Poles continue to gravitate towards buying things online, data compiled by Cuberoot.pl show. According to Rzeczpospolita, which obtained the report, Poles spent over z∏.18 billion online last year, marking growth of some 32% yearon-year. Online commerce now represents some 3% of Poland’s retail market.

The most popular items for online purchases included articles for the home and garden (21.9% of all online purchases), clothing and footwear items (17.5%). ●

JUNE 4-10, 2012

EU climate policy

Poland sticks to its tune The country continues to oppose planned EU climate policy after 2020 With the next meeting of EU environment ministers scheduled for June 11, all eyes will be on Poland, which had already twice blocked the adoption of higher EU-wide CO2 emissions-reduction targets. Comments from politicians and business leaders indicate that the country is not about to change its position.

The EU’s current climate policy, including targets to increase the share of renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions and boost energy savings, are set until 2020.

Poland has been the most vocal opponent of the EU’s “Roadmap for moving to a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050,” which aims to set policy goals for after 2020.

Speaking at the Economic Forum in Katowice in midMay, former Polish Prime Minister and President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek outlined the view, shared by many other Polish politicians and businesspeople present, that the EU’s climate

SHUTTERSTOCK

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Poland’s government and business leaders feel the EU’s CO2 emissions-reduction targets are unfair policy is fundamentally unfair towards Poland.

A two-speed Europe “We are all responsible for the EU, but our history is quite different. Older EU

member states are postindustrial, with higher GDP per capita and lower energy consumption, we get differences in development potential and ability to adapt to the EU climate policy. In a way

we can say a two-speed Europe already exists.”

This gap is made all the more difficult to bridge as the economic crisis pressures energy-intensive industries in Poland, argued Tomasz Tom-

czykiewicz, secretary of state at the Ministry of Economy.

“Climate is not a priority today. Energy is, and Poland today has energy security with coal. We need to profit from what nature gave us.”

Surojit Ghosh, member of the board of directors at steel maker ArcelorMittal Poland, thanked the Polish government for fighting an increase in CO2 reduction targets, which he described as “a nonmarket idea.”

“This policy will have no other effect than reducing the competitiveness of the EU. We are demanding no favors, but a level playing field. Time is not on our side. If the industry doesn’t survive the crisis, whether it’s green or red, who cares?”

Beata Jaczewska, undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Environment, left few doubts that Poland would maintain its stance. “Our colleagues from other countries also have their calculations.

Our other partners outside Europe are not making these commitments. We request respect from the EU,” she said.

Alice Trudelle

Exports

Polish meat producers look to take a bite out of Chinese market

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Polish food exports to China grew by 50 percent in 2011, and are expected to increase as the Chinese government has opened up the country’s meat market to Polish businesses.

The expanding middle class in China provides Poland with a promising business opportunity.

“The growing middle class in China should result in higher consumption of a number of products, including meat,” Wies∏aw Ró˝aƒski, head of the Union of Producers and Employers of the Meat Industry (UPEMI) told Rzeczpospolita.

Also beneficial to Polish companies is the fact that Chinese consumers favor many products that are otherwise unpopular on other markets, especially in the meat sector.

Polish meat producers already maintain a significant presence in Asia, with high levels of pork exports to Japan and South Korea. Polish meat exports to South Korea (main-

SHUTTERSTOCK

DAILY EXECUTIVE DIGEST

Growing Chinese demand gives Polish meat suppliers a chance to expand further into Asia

Polish meat producers already have a significant presence in Asia ly pork) rose by 300 percent last year, elevating Poland to eighth place in the country’s leading meat suppliers.

Still, Polish meat producers are expected to face some difficulties as they prepare to conquer the vastness of the Chinese market, since Chinese importers have very high standards and are very demanding in comparison to European markets. Differences in cultural and trade customs as well as

high transport costs will also prove a challenge for expansion into China.

The declining pig population in Poland could also prove problematic. Pork prices in Poland are already higher than the EU average. This, as well as limited supplies, could potentially hamper the ability of Polish companies to successfully acquire a significant share of the Chinese market.

Natalia Kopytnik

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OPINION & ANALYSIS

www.wbj.pl

JUNE 4-10, 2012

Racism at Polish stadiums – an issue to be dealt with, not feared David Ingham

E

uro 2012 co-hosts Poland and Ukraine were thrown under the media spotlight for all the wrong reasons last week following a BBC documentary on racism at soccer matches.

Footage filmed for the Panorama news program showed Polish soccer fans shouting anti-Semitic slogans at opposition players and fans, inci-

“The truth is far more complex than the picture painted by the BBC” dences of monkey calls aimed at black players and the use of Nazi and white-power imagery by hard-core hooligans from leading Polish clubs such as Widzew ¸ódê and Legia Warszawa.

In Ukraine, supporters were shown regularly using the Nazi salute at games, while the most disturbing footage showed Indian fans being attacked in the stands purely because of their skin color.

The scenes used in the film clearly spoke for themselves. Racism is alive

and well in both Polish and Ukrainian soccer.

But what created the biggest furor was an interview with former England captain Sol Campbell, who, when asked his opinion about fans going to Euro 2012, declared “Stay at home, watch it on TV. Don’t risk it because you could end up coming back in a coffin.”

Mr Campbell’s comments, although sensationalist, were understandable given the fact he had just been shown racist imagery, chanting and violence at matches in both Euro 2012 co-host countries. The problem, however, is the negative effect the documentary and his comments have had on many UK citizens’ opinions of Poland.

Last week, newspaper comment sites were awash with fans outraged at UEFA for allowing a tournament to take place in a part of Europe which they now believe to be unsafe and a place where violence and racism is prevalent at every match and from all fans.

The truth however is far more complex than the picture painted by the BBC. First, it is important to differentiate between Poland and Ukraine. They

are not the same country, they have different rules, governments, societies and histories. It is natural to group them together as co-hosts, but by doing so the documentary continued to perpetuate the stereotype in the west that Central and Eastern Europe is all the same.

Changing times As a fan I have been to watch numerous games at both Legia Warszawa and Polonia Warszawa’s stadiums and have only seen one incident of violence, which occurred when a drunken fan attacked the police before being arrested and escorted away.

Unfortunately, racist violence does occur at Polish matches. But over the five years I have lived in Poland, there has been a noticeable change in the atmosphere inside stadiums.

Polish soccer has begun the slow process of addressing its violent hooligan problem. All-seater stadiums, modern facilities, sufficient police numbers and tougher sentences (although still not tough enough) for perpetrators of crimes are all helping to begin to change Polish soccer for the better.

The filmmakers and many viewers

also chose to overlook the importance of a point made by Jacek Purski, from the Never Again Foundation, an organization that monitors and attempts to combat racism among Polish fans. Mr Purski said, “Of course we hope to see a peaceful, non-racist Euro 2012, but still around league matches from time to time some incidents appear.”

Mr Purski was attempting to highlight the difference between international matches and league matches in terms of the likelihood of violence.

Rivalry between fans is much friendlier and more good-natured at major international tournaments and as a result, the chance of violence occurring is significantly reduced.

The documentary, on the other hand, sent the message that the images shown were an accurate representation of Poland; that if you go there during Euro 2012, you should expect to see violent fans.

Addressing the issue But while many in Poland feel the need to defend the country against the negative backlash, the filmmakers did make a vitally important point – antiSemitism and other forms of racism

are commonplace among hooligan groups at Polish domestic matches, a fact which the authorities currently seem more than happy to ignore.

In England, a country seen as the home of soccer hooliganism, both violence on the terraces and racist chanting, once commonplace in the 1970s and 1980s, are now rare. This is because the government, the police and the country’s soccer association took a zero-tolerance attitude against the perpetrators. Violent fans or fans using racist terms were arrested, prosecuted and banned from attending games. In turn, the stigma attached to standing up to those who professed racist views at games disappeared and it became socially unacceptable to attack players or fans merely because of their skin color.

Poland’s political leaders and its soccer association must do the same, instead of maintaining that the problem doesn’t exist. The image the BBC portrayed was a false one; nevertheless, racism and violence at Polish soccer matches must be eradicated once and for all. ● David Ingham is Warsaw Business Journal’s sports and lifestyle editor

Preparing for the green exit Laurence Tubiana and Emmanuel Guerin

U

nderpinning European integration is the belief that unity between nations should bring shared prosperity instead of social, political, and economic turmoil. But today’s debt crisis has exposed a fundamental weakness in the euro zone’s architecture: insufficient integration.

This adds another layer of complexity, compared to the United States or Japan, to the economic challenges that the European Union faces. To paraphrase Leo Tolstoy, the European family is unhappy in its own way.

The European Monetary Union acted as a powerful catalyst for European integration, rapidly bringing together 17 diverse economies in a single monetary union – but without fiscal solidarity, a way to enforce fiscal discipline, or an established lender of last resort.

This facilitated massive capital inflows and unsustainable borrowing in the peripheral countries – most notably Greece, but also Portugal, Spain, and Italy – shrouding, and thereby accelerating, their increasing loss of competitiveness.

When the global financial crisis hit, the house of cards collapsed.

Now, troubled countries do not have the option of reducing their debt burdens and increasing external competitiveness by devaluing their currencies. Integration is thus incomplete, with euro-zone countries having abrogated monetary sovereignty,

while rejecting the stabilizing mechanisms of shared fiscal and economic policy.

On the edge of a cliff With the single currency on the precipice, the necessity of greater fiscal and economic coordination is clear. But such a move would require profound treaty changes, and thus will take time. Still, more can be done to smooth the fiscal and economic adjustments taking place in the euro zone’s troubled periphery.

The current focus on austerity and structural reform carries severe social and economic risks, in part because disenchanted electorates are fertile ground for extremist parties. Indeed, in Greece’s recent elections, after five years of recession and 20 percent unemployment, extremist parties from both ends of the political spectrum made substantial electoral gains. Likewise, in the first round of France’s presidential elections last month, extremist parties from the right and left won more than 30 percent of the vote.

Europe needs a new plan to ensure sustainable and shared prosperity, based in part on rebalancing growth and competitiveness within the euro zone. Although Germany’s recent indication that it may consider wage increases for its workers is an encouraging start, a consumptionbased recovery is clearly not sustainable.

Peripheral countries must undertake structural reforms, while recognizing that such changes will not bear fruit overnight, and that internal economic rebalancing will be painful. In order to facilitate this economic rebalancing and ameliorate its social consequences, they also need targeted public investments, co-financed at the European level.

A green solution The green sector provides a key opportunity for European investment, owing to its scale and longterm growth potential. After all, real resource prices have reached record levels and, on average, the oil intensity of GDP in Spain, Greece, and Portugal is 60 percent higher than the European average. Investing in the green sector would contribute to Europe’s long-term productivity, while providing productive cross-border capital flows to complement structural rebalancing within peripheral countries.

Europe’s leaders should therefore agree on a large-scale recapitalization of the European Investment Bank. During the crisis, the EIB has played a pivotal role in financing large-scale infrastructure projects, but it is now curtailing its lending – and private banks cannot pick up the slack. Options for raising new capital include requesting a €10 billion ($13 billion) contribution from member

states, using the €12 billion left over from the European Financial Stability Mechanism, or reallocating the tens of billions of unallocated funds from the EU budget.

Furthermore, the European Commission’s proposal that the EIB support privately financed infrastructure projects through guarantees for corporate bonds, called “project bonds,” must be accelerated and expanded.

But there is not yet much demand for such bonds in Europe, and the initiative’s development will take time.

Therefore, euro-zone members, possibly through the EIB, should guarantee “green covered bonds,” securitized by revenue from existing green-sector assets, such as renewable energy. This would allow banks to refinance green-sector investments, thus freeing up bank capital for further lending. Banks’ experience and the diversity of products offered in the sector mean that freeing up their balance-sheet capacities could swiftly inject funds into the real economy.

False dichotomy Thus far, Europe’s response to the debt crisis has been impeded by a false juxtaposition of austerity and stimulus. Productive investments in areas such as infrastructure and knowledge, can not only stimulate growth and employment in the short term, but also are a necessary condition for long-term prosperity.

Solvent countries currently can borrow at near-zero interest rates, so the time is right to invest in long-term productive assets in the peripheral countries, thus helping to facilitate the structural reforms that Europe needs to claw its way out of crisis and into a sustainable, prosperous future.

“With the single currency on the precipice, the necessity of greater fiscal and economic coordination is clear” This is a European crisis, so all of Europe must share the burden of adjustment. That means coming together to provide the resources needed to restore competitiveness, revive growth, and prepare to face the challenges of tomorrow.

Laurence Tubiana is drector of the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) at Sciences Po in Paris and a professor at Columbia University. Emmanuel Guerin is director of the energy and climate department at IDDRI and a visiting fellow at the London School of Economics.

Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2012. project-syndicate.org

OPINION & ANALYSIS

JUNE 4-10, 2012

www.wbj.pl

11

A painful mistake and getting history right Andrew Kureth

P

resident Barack Obama’s ugly gaffe last Tuesday (see story, p. 4) caused an uproar in Poland and sent the media into a tizzy. It’s not hard to understand why.

Poles don’t like being held responsi-

“If we want to make sure crimes such as the Holocaust never happen again, we have to get the history straight”

basic facts of World War II. A recent survey found one in five young Germans don’t know what Auschwitz was. Canadian filmmaker Violetta Cardinal made a documentary called “Upside Down” in which she asks students about the most fundamental facts of the war. They are surprisingly ignorant. One child, when asked who built the Auschwitz concentration camp, answers “I guess the Polish people,” citing the very words “Polish concentration camp.”

For years, Poland has been trying to eliminate such terms from the public discourse. Journalists often use them as shorthand, since the camps are located on what is today Polish soil. But they are wildly inaccurate and for Poles, especially hurtful.

Poland’s Foreign Ministry hailed it as a major victory earlier this year when the Associated Press updated its style guide to officially ban the term from its articles.

Surprisingly ignorant

ble for Nazi crimes, and terms such as “Polish death camp” risk doing just that.

Mr Obama was awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the US’s highest civilian honor – to the late Jan Karski, a man who risked his life to tell the world about the Holocaust.

The gesture was partly intended to demonstrate the US’s continued friendship with Poland at a time when relations have been less than ideal.

But all that good will was dashed with three little (poorly chosen) words.

Paved with good intentions

The matter isn’t trivial. Millions of Poles died in Nazi German death camps during World War II – a fact that is sometimes glossed over in the West. President Obama’s inattention to detail and loose talk risk confusing the victim with the perpetrator. If we want to make sure crimes such as the Holocaust never happen again, we have to get the history straight.

And while some pooh-pooh the possibility of anyone confusing the Polish victims with Nazi perpetrators of World War II crimes, the risk is very real. Research shows more and more people don’t know the most

Mr Obama obviously didn’t intend for his words to offend. He was honoring a hero of the Polish resistance, after all.

The White House contends that “the President has demonstrated in word and deed his rock-solid commitment to our close alliance with Poland.”

On this, we beg to differ. Time and again Mr Obama has shown too little regard for the sensibilities of Poles. His sluggishness in working to put Poland in the Visa Waiver Program, his announcement that he was scrapping President Bush’s missileshield plans on the anniversary of the

Soviet invasion of Poland, and his administration’s decision to send inactive Patriot missiles to Poland when the Poles were expecting operational ones, all speak volumes about where he prioritizes the Polish-American relationship. It’s no way to treat a staunch ally.

When it comes to his gaffe, we should expect Mr Obama to get such important things right. Presumably, he read the speech before he gave it.

And we ought to hold him responsible for what his staff writes for him.

What the president of the United States says matters a great deal. His words are transmitted across the globe, heard and read by billions.

They will be repeated by reporters, analysts, teachers and other world leaders. The impact of his words is arguably greater than those of anyone else on the planet.

Hence the uproar in Poland last week. When global media such as Time Magazine or the New York Times made similar mistakes, Poles were infuriated. When the president of the United States commits that kind of blunder, it’s an international incident.

Telling the truth The White House quickly issued an apology, but many Poles felt that wasn’t enough, and wanted a personal statement of regret from Mr Obama. They got it in the form of a letter to Polish President Bronis∏aw Komorowski, in which President Obama agreed this moment was an opportunity to ensure that this and future generations know the “truth” about Poland and the Holocaust.

And with that, there may be a silver lining to the very painful mistake that Mr Obama made last week. It set off a bevy of media reports that no Foreign Ministry informational campaign could ever hope to match. Many more people now understand the gravity of making such an error, and hopefully that will lead to a better understanding of history.

If we could achieve that, then Mr Obama’s mistake may well have been worth the pain it caused. ● Andrew Kureth is editor-in-chief of Warsaw Business Journal

Euro 2012: security threats Kacper R´kawek

S

tarting this week, Poland and Ukraine will host one of the biggest events in the world of sport – the Euro 2012 soccer championships. Hundreds of thousands of fans will flock to the two host countries, and their eagerly anticipated arrival will constitute a major headache for security agencies in Warsaw and Kiev.

Most of the threats related to their arrival will be of a relatively low-key nature as Polish and Ukrainian police units might be forced to assist with crowd control or perform riot control duties. In addition, the host nations’ security services could face an exponentially increased terrorist threat, a possibility that seems to have captured the imagination of many commentators, especially in the light of the attacks in the Ukrainian city of Dnipropetrovsk, which injured around 30 people at the end of April and for which no one has claimed responsibility.

An unlikely target?

No serious expert would discount such an eventuality, but one needs to

realize that the threat of terrorism that Poland and Ukraine face during Euro 2012 may have relatively little in common with elaborate plots involving hijacked planes crashing into the National Stadium or scores of lorries filled with explosives detonating in downtown Warsaw, which some regard as serious “potentialities.”

Of course, it is perfectly possible for various terrorist organizations or networks to attempt headline-grabbing attacks during Euro 2012. They may not necessarily target the host nations, Poland and Ukraine, but could use the tournament as an arena for making bloody political statements and/or “punishing” various European governments and nationals for their domestic or foreign policies.

In short, Poland, according to Europol, with zero individuals tried, convicted or acquitted of terrorism charges in 2011, is hardly a magnet for terrorists or terrorism, but could effectively become a proxy target for foreign terrorists. It might simply be more convenient for the likes of global jihadists to target scores of sup-

porters and tourists outside their home countries.

However, if serious terrorist plots are to materialize during Euro 2012, then any terrorist entity planning spectacular attacks must now be in the final stages of meticulous attack preparation, which usually involves a considerable number of individuals acting suspiciously and leaving behind traces.

These attract the attention of the security services, which consequently proceed – as has been the case on many occasions in Europe in the last decade – to dismantle the given terrorist plot. The Polish Internal Security Agency conducted five “terrorist” investigations in 2011, but there is no serious speculation about whether any of them is related to Euro 2012.

In theory, security services might miss or underappreciate the potential for a deadly terrorist plot. Vivid examples include 9/11, the July 2005 bombings in Britain, and the 2004 Madrid train bombings, all stark reminders of such danger. Nonetheless, no established terrorist organiza-

tion has yet targeted Poland explicitly. The country has never suffered from its own wave of separatist or leftist terrorism, and at the moment al-Qaeda’s regional affiliates in Iraq, Northern Africa, Somalia and Yemen seem more interested in growing locally before expanding globally.

Individual threat It is true, however, that in the past alQaeda’s leader – Ayman al Zawahiri, has called for attacks on Poland in revenge for the latter’s “occupation” of Iraq. But his organization probably lacks the resources to dispatch a terrorist team to Poland and is not in a position to “order” its non-existent Central European cells into action.

Nonetheless, his call could serve as inspiration for an individual “lone wolf” terrorist, a jihadist whose plans are by definition extremely difficult to detect or disrupt. Such individuals following the recent examples of either Anders Breivik in Norway or Mohammed Merah in France, constitute probably the gravest terrorismrelated security threat to Poland and

Ukraine during Euro 2012.

The Polish and Ukrainian security communities may not be able to completely prevent such attacks from taking place, but with the help of vigilant

“Poland is hardly a magnet for terrorists, but could effectively become a proxy target” supporters, often coming from countries with far more experience in countering both domestic and foreign terrorist threats than Poland or Ukraine, the host countries may be able to successfully deter potential terrorists and focus on less spectacular threats during Euro 2012. ● Kacper R´kawek is an analyst at the Polish Institute of International Affairs pism.pl

Editorials are the opinions of WBJ’s editorial board. Other opinions are those of the authors alone. Comments, opinions and letters should be sent to editor@wbj.pl. Please include a name and contact information and clearly indicate if they are to be considered for publication.

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Poland has ramped up security ahead of the tournament

The country hopes to transform its image in the eyes of potential future tourists

15

20

GOAL! EURO 2012 FEATURE JUNE 4-10, 2012

Euro 2012

Poland’s chance to shine Polish soccer fans had to wait a long time for major sporting success following the end of the glory years of the 1970s and 1980s, when the likes of Kazimierz Deyna and Zbigniew Boniek inspired the country to two World Cup semi-finals and Olympic gold.

A barren period, punctuated only by an Olympic silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona games, left its team, like the country itself, as one of Europe’s poor relatives in many people’s eyes.

Then on April 18, 2007, something changed. Poland and its neighbor Ukraine unexpectedly beat favorite Italy, in arguably the country’s most important sporting battle ever – the bid to host the 2012 European Championships.

“There are 85 million people now waiting for this big soccer event,” then Polish soccer association (PZPN) chairman Micha∏ Listkiewicz said at the time.

“This big tournament will be an important milestone in

the history of our two Slavic nations.”

But while Mr Listkiewicz was outwardly confident, many Poles were less than convinced that a country which lacked years of infrastructure investment could really be up to the task of hosting the world’s third-largest sporting event.

Back in 2007, problems for co-host Poland were manifold.

With no stadiums fit to host major matches, a lack of highways across the country, and dilapidated airports and railway connections, the country was nowhere near ready.

Fast-forward five years and things have changed significantly.

“A total of 83 main investments, including airports, highways, railways and stadiums were planned back in 2007, and about 80 percent of these investments will be ready

by Euro 2012,” Miko∏aj Piotrowski, head of media relations at organizing body PL.2012, told WBJ.

The road traveled In 2008 European soccer governing body UEFA published its first report in to Poland’s transport infrastructure. It found that at all levels Poland’s air, rail and road infrastructure was inadequate and at high risk of failing to meet the requirements needed to host the tournament.

Arguably the biggest headache facing organizers and the Ministry of Transport at that time was Poland’s inadequate, and in many regions non-existent, network of major roads.

A year earlier, Poland’s government had announced an ambitious plan to completely transform the country’s road network. The project, valued at z∏.121 billion, envisaged 1,070 km of new highways completed by the time Euro 2012 came around.

However, the vice president of the lower house of parliament’s infrastructure committee, Janusz Piechociƒski, said in May this year that only 40 percent of the planned new stretches of road will be complete for June 8.

This means that with more than 700,000 people expected to visit the country this month, Poland is still without a com-

SHUTTERSTOCK

Only a few years ago, many doubted Poland could rise up to the challenge of co-hosting this major international sporting event. WBJ looks back on the hard work that’s been done in the last five years to prove them wrong

Poland has been waiting with baited breath for the tournament to kick off pleted cross-country highway network.

The A1 highway, which will eventually connect Gdaƒsk in the north with Gorzyczki on the Polish-Czech border in the south, will definitely not be finished, with the key section between ¸ódê and Toruƒ not due until after the tournament.

In addition, a key stretch of the A2 highway (which will

eventually link Poland’s western and eastern borders,) between ¸ódê and Warsaw was also incomplete as of press time, although Prime Minster Donald Tusk said recently that he was confident it could be finished in time for the first match.

In hindsight, it seems the country’s initial plans were overly ambitious, and would Continued on p. 17 ➡

In this supplement Time to shine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13,17 Euro 2012 politics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Teams guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Stadiums guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

14

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GOAL! EURO 2012 FEATURE

JUNE 4-10, 2012

Politics

Euro 2012 to be used as a political football?

Proof of how important Euro 2012 is to Polish politicians was opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party leader Jaros∏aw Kaczyƒski’s recent declaration of an “unconditional political ceasefire” during the tournament.

“We want that period to be a calm one and we will abide by that rule,” Mr Kaczyƒski told journalists, adding that his party would not be holding any public gatherings or events during the period.

The declaration came as a surprise to some who had feared that the outspoken Mr Kaczyƒski and his party would organize political demonstrations criticizing Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his government during the tournament.

Mr Tusk expressed his satisfaction at the PiS leader’s announcement, stressing how important it is that Euro 2012 takes place in a “peaceful atmosphere.”

The Tymoshenko problem While all may be quiet on the

Polish front, Euro 2012 has already taken on a political dimension in Ukraine, where a number of European politicians have said they will boycott games due to the treatment of jailed opposition leader, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

Many European leaders consider her imprisonment to be politically motivated and were further outraged by recently released photographs showing Ms Tymoshenko covered in bruises following an alleged beating by prison guards.

Top EU officials including EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso have announced that they will not be going to Ukraine during the tournament in protest at Ms Tymoshenko’s imprisonment.

German Development Minister Dirk Niebel and Environment Minister Norbert Röttgen have also said they will boycott the Euro 2012 championships in Ukraine over human rights concerns. Even German Chancellor Angela Merkel had

COURTESY OF FLICKR/KPRM

Poland’s main political parties have declared a “ceasefire,” but the Tymoshenko issue and the Russian team’s choice of hotel could be potential trouble spots

Prime Minister Tusk (center) is glad party politics are set to take a back seat to soccer said that she and her cabinet would not attend any games in the country, but has since changed her mind.

Mr Tusk, who had opposed a boycott of Ukraine from the start, said that “Chancellor Angela Merkel acknowledged that the [suggested] boycott of Euro 2012 was a misunderstanding and is interested in coming to a few matches.”

“What is important here is the position of Yulia Tymoshenko, who does not want a boycott of Ukraine,” Mr Tusk

said, regarding the jailed politician’s plea that people don’t stay away on her account.

The prime minister added that he had also met with France’s new president, Francois Hollande, who also expressed interest in attending Euro 2012 matches. “The only problem now is to get some tickets,” Mr Tusk joked.

The Russia-Smolensk connection Meanwhile, the Russian national team’s choice of hotel had

also become an issue before the tournament.

Poland’s Sports Minister Joanna Mucha offered the Russian squad the option of changing their Bristol Hotel venue, due to its proximity to the Polish Presidential Palace, where demonstrations are usually held on the 10th of every month to commemorate the 2010 Smolensk disaster in which President Lech Kaczyƒski and 95 others were killed. Some 20 percent of Poles consider the Smolensk catastrophe to have

been an assassination engineered by the Kremlin, surveys show.

The Russians have, however, said that they will not be changing their accommodation plans.

“We are confident that the organizers of such a wonderful tournament as the European Championships will guarantee security on the highest level,” Russian soccer association spokesperson Nikolai Komarov, was quoted by the Polish Press Agency as saying.

Remi Adekoya

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GOAL! EURO 2012 FEATURE

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15

Security

On the safe side It hasn’t made the headiness nearly as often as Poland’s infrastructure facelift, but the logistical effort needed to ensure Euro 2012 runs smoothly is just as impressive.

But will it be enough to protect Poles, foreign fans and the 13 national teams that have chosen Poland as their base during the tournament?

Geared up “Police preparations for Euro 2012 have long been underway, adjusting the number of personnel, the equipment and infrastructure necessary to ensure security not only for fans and visitors in host cities, but also local residents in all regions of the country,” said Ma∏gorzata Woêniak, spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior.

Test matches were held to judge the efficiency of the security systems in place in all Euro 2012 venues. Over 10,000 Polish police officers, equipped with new vehicles, protective gear and mobile command posts will be directly involved in what Ms Woêniak described as the police’s “biggest international project

in Poland’s history.”

The star among security preparations is arguably the new z∏.18.5 million Police Command Center for Operations. It will be the main coordination center for police operations during Euro 2012, where several national and international agencies will work together (see box).

Lisanne Kosters, a spokesperson at Europol, the European Union’s criminal intelligence agency, explained how her organization’s work would complement that of the police. “There is a real difference between the mainstream policing of major events and the organized crime aspects that Europol can support, with ATM and plastic card fraud, counterfeit currency, counterfeit goods, drugs trafficking and ticket fraud being just a few [examples],” she said.

“Experience tells us that the organized criminals that Europol encounters are quite often fans of soccer or other sports, so some may travel as spectators – others may choose to mix business with pleasure.”

SHUTTERSTOCK

Ready or not, Poland is set to welcome Euro 2012 teams and their fans. With their arrival, security, a less visible but crucial aspect of preparations, will need to be sharp

Over 10,000 police will be directly involved in maintaining safety in Poland during Euro 2012 Ready or not According to Ryszard Machnikowski, an expert on security and terrorism at the University of ¸ódê, Polish security officials have done their homework and are more or less ready to ensure security during Euro 2012.

“The security apparatus is

International cooperation During Euro 2012 the Police Command Center for Operations will host representatives of all departments and institutions involved in Euro 2012 security planning, including the Government Security Office, Border Guard, State Fire Service, Internal Security Agency, Railroad Police, Ministry of National Defense, and Ministry of Infrastructure.

Liaison officers from Europol, Interpol, police and law enforcement representatives from Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the

Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the UK and Ukraine will also work with the center.

A security coordination group has conducted joint analysis of police, border control and rescue operations with co-host Ukraine.

Border controls will be reinstated temporarily for the duration of Euro 2012 (from June 4 to July 1) in the Schengen Zone (Polish borders with the Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania and Slovakia) as well as air and seaports in Source: Interior Ministry these areas.

Security web Ben West, security analyst at Stratfor, described security at events such as Euro 2012 as a series of concentric circles that act as filters against attacks.

First circle “The outer-most circle of security is typically the national intelligence agencies, armed forces, national guard or coast guard. These guys will make sure that people who aren’t supposed to be in the country don’t get in. On local levels, armed forces or national guards are typically deployed to cities where the games are held. These troops may be pulled from local bases to provide high-level security to key infrastructure like airports, bridges, freeways and train stations.”

Second circle “In host cities, local and national police will provide extra security to peripheral areas near the stadiums. These cities are going to see a huge influx of spectators, VIPs, national soccer teams and their entourages, who will congregate in certain areas – hotels, restaurants, entertainment districts and, of course, the areas around the stadiums themselves.”

Third circle “The final ring of security consists of the actual buildings utilized for the games. This is the level where private security contractors will be used the most. They are intended to be the final line to control access to certain areas, venues and buildings.” ●

aware of the most common and likely threats and has worked hard to provide the highest level of security possible. Low- to mid-level security officials are ready to act and are well prepared to meet the demands. Police and military men and women working in the streets, including special forces, are well-trained and aware of the threats.”

According to security experts contacted by WBJ, the main security threats during the tournament will be of a relatively low-key nature, such as crowd control, maintaining order in the city centers, in areas near the stadiums and in transport hubs, identifying potential violent groups of fans and preventing

clashes between them, and preventing acts of petty crime and vandalism.

“Poland is a relatively safe, stable place, so the political and security situation can obviously handle day-to-day life, which is not as apparent in Ukraine,” said Ben West, a security analyst at strategic intelligence consultancy Stratfor.

“I think their main reason for intervention will be petty crime and unruly fans. Having lots of tourists in one, concentrated area is going to be very attractive to criminals.”

Such a high-profile event could also be tempting for groups or individuals in search of publicity, to attempt

stunts ranging from protests to violent attacks. Poland's lack of experience in this last area was one area of weakness identified by Mr Machnikowski.

“Probably the upper echelons of officials and decision makers are the weakest point, lacking understanding of the complex nature of post-9/11 threats, from which the overall co-ordination of action needed in case of emergency may suffer,” he said.

But serious attackers are more likely to be caught by authorities before they can do extensive damage, by using protective intelligence to identify probable threats ahead of time, said Mr West.

Alice Trudelle

Private-sector involvement No official figure for the whole Euro 2012 security budget is available, but security experts estimate it is likely in the range of tens of millions of dollars.

The Polish Chamber of Persons and Property Security estimates Euro 2012 could translate into additional revenues of up to to €40 million for the sector. Business opportunities range from providing security services at official Euro 2012 venues as subcontractors, to increased demand from regular, private clients in the retail or banking sector.

Impel will provide security at the National Stadium in Warsaw, the Wroc∏aw Stadium, as well as some of the press centers and fan zones in smaller towns, said spokesperson Katarzyna Marsza∏ek.

Both Impel and Solid (although the latter will not be directly involved in providing security during the tournament) said Euro 2012 was a great opportunity to get international publicity.

Konsalnet, in a consortium with Securitas and G4S, will provide security services for the fan zone in Wroc∏aw, as well as for national teams’ residences in various Polish cities, their training centers, transit routes and hotels.

According to Adam Pawlowicz, president of the board at Konsalnet, the challenges the consortium will face are threefold.

“Protecting fan zones is challenging because of an element of uncertainty, but we are in close cooperation with the police and other government agencies. Secondly, operations during this period will require additional employees and will necessitate efforts in recruitment and training,” he said.

“The third challenge is logistical, for instance with cash handling. We operate over 30 percent of [cash machines] in Poland, and I expect there will be a big hike in the number of transactions during the tournament,” he added. ●

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www.wbj.pl

Legal View

A short legal guide for football fans: Rights and duties during Euro 2012 matches in Poland According to the Act, the mass-event organizer is responsible for security at mass events. The organizer is obliged to ensure the safety of the individuals attending the event, the availability of medical services and support and the proper technical conditions of the stadiums and other buildings where the event will take place. In addition, the organizer has a duty to protect public order. To guarantee all these things, the organizer has to collaborate closely with the police.

Mateusz Dró˝d˝ is a lawyer at Gide Loyrette Nouel and a lecturer at Lazarski University

The organization of Euro 2012 required not only building new stadiums, but also implementing new acts setting out the rights and duties of soccer fans during the Euro 2012 matches. The main aim of the legislation was to create legal regulations to ensure a safe environment for all spectators. For that reason, all the enacted acts pay special attention to anything that may jeopardize this objective.

General information The organization of the Euro 2012 football tournament in Poland and Ukraine has required the Polish government to introduce changes in numerous acts of law, setting out the rights and the duties of spectators at matches. During matches at Polish stadiums, the internal regulations of UEFA apply, along with the Act on Security at Mass Events (the “Act”).

For that reason, fans from other countries will have to remember that, although they are not Poles, they will still have to comply with Polish law, including the provisions placed in that act.

In fulfilling the basic duties stipulated in the Act, organizers are also obliged to provide security and stewarding staff in numbers calculated in accordance with the number of people attending the event. Security staff have to be licensed, and stewarding staff must be trained on how to ensure mass-event security. During the mass event, police forces do not have the right to attend sporting events.

Only the commander of the police should be present during the event to ensure cooperation with the security manager. If the security manager makes a direct written request to the police to intervene, they are allowed enter and restore order. Any kind of force against spectators can be used only if the spectators fail to obey orders to cease their unlawful behavior.

In order to maintain public order and ensure the safety of Euro 2012, the police may collect, analyze and process information about individuals that may pose a threat to public order or safety at Euro 2012, where there is a risk that such individuals will be present in Poland during Euro 2012.

This process can be carried out without the consent of the individual concerned.

Rights The tickets entitle fans to watch the game in the seat indicated. At the moment the ticket is paid for, an agreement is concluded and participation at the mass event is

authorized on the conditions provided.

Moreover, as fans are consumers, they enjoy special protection under certain provisions of the Polish Civil Code and other acts.

During soccer games in Poland it is possible to buy and consume alcohol containing no more than 3.5% of alcohol. It is strictly prohibited to bring any alcohol into the stadium. It should be emphasized that smoking during the event and in public places is also strictly prohibited.

The objective of the security services is to work towards ensuring the security of the spectators. During the events, stewards have to provide information on facilities and security requirements, the location of sanitary facilities, and, most importantly, the location of places of medical assistance. For the protection of the spectators, stewards must react quickly to any incidents that could breach the rights of the spectators. They are also obliged to monitor compliance with the regulations of other spectators to ensure safety. The stewards are also obliged to address any complaints and questions. Outside the stadium, you may also obtain information from the police on issues related to organization and transport.

Duties The Act sets out some standard duties for people attending. For example, it is prohibited to enter restricted areas or to enter the stadium unlawfully. However, there are also some more specific duties. Under the Act, spectators must follow orders given by the police, as well as by stewards or other security guards. No alcoholic beverages, weapons or pyrotechnic products, or any object that may pose a potential risk to the health of any spectators can be brought into the stadium. Clothes, and clothing accessories such as scarves cannot be used to prevent identification, and no items that promote racism or other discrimination are allowed. Spectators must not provoke other fans. Nothing can be thrown onto the field, and no violation of the bodily integrity of stewards, security guards or other fans, will be tolerated.

Most of these behaviors are considered criminal offenses under Polish law. The court process may take place through special proceedings, allowing a court ruling to be issued just hours after an arrest at an event. The provisions of such proceedings are defined in Polish Proceeding Offenses Code and also in the Polish Criminal Procedure Code.

The court can impose a ban on a convicted fan from attending a stadium for a

BROUGHT TO YOU BY GIDE LOYRETTE NOUEL

period from two to six years and can impose a fine. The fines can be extreme, ranging up to and exceeding z∏.500,000. In addition, certain offenses and crimes may be dealt with by penalties such as the restriction of liberty or imprisonment.

Under UEFA regulations, various items are prohibited from being brought into the stadium. Such items include: helmets, umbrellas, bottles, cans, mugs, jugs, alcoholic beverages, drugs and psychotropic substances, material with political or religious content. It is also forbidden to bring: flags or banners on poles over one meter long and one centimeter in diameter, banners or flags bigger that two meters by 1.5 meters, professional cameras and video cameras, animals, objects and clothes with commercial and promotional content, aerosols, large quantities of paper, loudspeakers, sirens or other sound-emitting devices, or laser pointers. Fans should note that boxes, bags, backpacks and other items must be less than 25 cm x 25 cm x 25 cm.

The security guards and stewards are authorized, before and during the game, to verify identification documents, inspect bags and clothing and to check tickets.

They will refuse entry to anyone who has a stadium ban or is under the influence of alcohol, drugs or psychotropic substances. They may also prohibit entry to the match to anyone who is behaving aggressively or provocatively.

Conclusion The Act on Mass Events Security requires the organizers of mass events to guarantee the safety of spectators at Euro 2012 matches. In general, the Act contains provisions included in the European Convention on Spectator Violence and Misbehaviour at Sporting Events in particular at Football Matches. The Polish Act is the most relevant legal basis setting out the rights and duties of anyone attending the matches. It should be mentioned that particular UEFA regulations will also affect other rights and duties, and for that reason it is very important to read through the stadium regulations established by UEFA. In addition, consumer protection officers are ready to help with any problems or concerns over ticket-holders’ rights as consumers.

All the rights and duties contained in the Act, and in other by-laws, are aimed at performing one thing: to provide a safe environment for all of the spectators attending this historic event in Poland. ●

Everything you need to Your guide to the 16 teams Poland’s glory days saw the know for a short stay in at this summer’s Euro 2012 team reach a World Cup Warsaw 2-5 tournament 6-7 semi-final in 1974 8

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Getting to know the capital

You might be thinking of locking yourself in a darkened room to watch the tournament from the sanctuary of your sofa. Forget it – the party is out there waiting.

Official Fan Zone Pl. Defilad.

Open 10:00 am – 1:00 am (closing times will be extended for bigger games).

Built to handle 100,000 fans, the official Warsaw fan zone promises to be the largest such project ever realized. Covering a floor plan of 120,000 sqm, features include eight giant

screens for matches, two concert stages and 400 toilets. Set in the open spaces around the Palace of Culture, the zone has been carved up among numerous sponsors, each of which promise something different: Carlsberg will be handling the beer situation thanks to a twofloor bar, while a controversial McDonald’s – occupying the spot slated for Warsaw’s Muse-

um of Modern Art – will tout a mysterious contraption called a “Giant Passion Meter.”

Orange has revealed plans for an open-air cinema, as well as a Robo-Keeper at whom fans can crack shots at. Adidas claims that if you come around to their corner, you’ve got a chance of meeting players, and Pekao Bank is on hand for currency exchange, pre-paid cards and other banking services.

Alternatively, head to MasterCard for the inglorious chance to be a ref for the day.

Admission is free.

Bistro S∏ony Magda Gessler invites you for the best breakfast in Warsaw in the morning and for snacks served with wine and “shots” of lager in the evening and night We recommend: • „Sznytki” – little canapés with spreads (also as takeaway and catering offer) • The best white sausage in Warsaw • Herring in different styles • Viennese specialties: leberkäse, debreciner and frankfurter sausages • Breakfast sets and breakfast a la carte. On the weekends served till 4 pm.

• Wide selection of gluten free dishes

Carlsberg Fan Camp ul. Wybrze˝e Gdaƒskie 4, www.carlsbergfancamp.pl This temporary camp site/entertainment heaven includes soccer fields, big screens and accommodation, as well as a palm-lined artificial beach, music stages, catering and, of course, loads of Carlsberg beer.

The Rest Expect soccer overload in the pubs and bars of Warsaw, and you’ll find expat haunts like Bradley’s, The British Bulldog and Legends all packing

out over the course of the tournament. In the hotels, Champions (Marriott), Someplace Else (Sheraton) and Hemisphere (InterContinental) will also fulfill any soccerviewing needs. Few places, if any, have made a bigger effort than the Warsaw Tortilla Factory. Each and every game will be complimented by a “Half Time Variety Show,” with entertainment provided by MC Barry Solone, African drummers, soccer tricksters, body-painted party gals, cashprize sweepstakes and a series

of live music acts. Aiming to generate a carnival spirit, some memorable, wobblylegged nights are completely guaranteed.

Alex Webber

In this supplement Essential Warsaw . . . . . . . . .2-3 Insider recommends . . . . . . .4-5 Team profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7 Polish retro soccer . . . . . . . . . .8

S∏ony 11 Pi´kna St. (crossroads of Pi´kna and Krucza st.) phone: +48 22 629 03 64, 0048 506 052 093, www.slony.pl; slony@slony.pl

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Essential Warsaw

72 hours in Warsaw

Alex Webber

Pushed for time? Warsaw Insider brings you the best ways to get the most out of Warsaw Personally speaking, I don’t need a timetable when I find myself following England abroad. That’s always a one-dimensional affair with no planning required: Stake your territory with a Bristol City flag, bask like a seal in a beer garden, fail to score tickets then shout at a screen in a murky-looking dive.

Happy days, and certainly a schedule I’ll be keeping this summer. Of course, not all visitors this June will be viewing Euro 2012 as a jumbo-drinking challenge. And why would they? The Warsaw of today is not short of attractions, sights and curiosities.

With your time no doubt limited, we bring you the best:

DAY 1 Morning Central Station: No matter how you arrive, you will pass

SHUTTERSTOCK

through Central Station. Opened on December 5, 1975, to coincide with Leonid Brezhnev’s junket to the 7th Workers’ Party Congress, it was trumped as a triumph of socialism: out-of-towners mobbed the place to gawk at space-age touches like Italian clocks and escalators from France … the nation’s first vending machine, even. Constructed in under 1,000 days, sloppy workmanship soon became apparent, and in the following years the station rotted into ruin. Now though, thanks in part to the Euro 2012 tournament, this evil concrete underworld has been reinvented with designer toilets and electronic timetables that measure waiting times by the amount of cheeseburgers your guts can process at the nearby McDonald’s.

Warsaw’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site obliteration. While one side is being busily redeveloped, the other offers an eerie glimpse into the past: propped up by wooden scaffolds, the empty blackened tenements lean inwards on the street, lending a spooky feel to this part of town.

Palace of Culture: Resist the temptation to lose yourself in the

Afternoon

attractions of the Fan Zone, and instead take a trip up Poland’s

COURTESY OF KEVIN DEMARIA

Center: Inch through the crowds to make it to Rondo de

Take a trip up Poland’s tallest building tallest building. Built as a present from the Soviet Union (choose between a metro or a tower, they asked), it’s totally Gotham City in its brooding excess. Featuring 3,288 rooms, the highlight of this 231 meter monolith is the viewing platform perched on the top: Stretch out to touch neighboring skyscrapers like Daniel Liebeskind’s weird work in progress, Z∏ota 44, or the InterContinental Hotel: host to Europe’s highest pool.

Jewish Warsaw: Home to Europe’s largest ghetto during World War II, the Nazis did a thorough job of erasing their dirty work: Methodically flattened, the post-war Muranów housing estate was plonked on the ruins of the ghetto and today only fragments survive – a section of original wall on Sienna 55 (enter from Z∏ota 62), for instance. More recently, a dramatic installation has been added to ul. Ch∏odna: illuminated at night, a trail of overhead lights mark the spot where a bridge notoriously connected the large ghetto with the small. The focal point of pre-war Jewish life, however, was to be found on pl. Grzybowski, a triangular plot close to the Palace of Culture. A small maze of streets leads to Warsaw’s only surviving synagogue (ul. Twarda 6), and nearby don’t miss a look at ul. Pró˝na – now rife with cranes and industrial machinery, this was the only ghetto street to escape

Gaulle’a. The roundabout takes its name from Charles de Gaulle (who got stuck in against the communists during the 1920 Battle of Warsaw), and is easily recognized on account of its palm – fifteen meters tall, the artificial tree celebrates its tenth birthday later this year. Titled “Greetings from Jerusalem,” the palm is intended as a reminder of Warsaw’s lost Jewish population, and provides a stark contrast to the bleak concrete construction that looms in its shadow. That’s the former Communist Party HQ, a blockish building reputed to have underground tunnels running to secret train stations. In an ironic twist the structure, which incorporates masonry from Hindenburg’s former mausoleum, briefly served as the home of the stock exchange after the Iron Curtain fell.

The Royal Route: Make your way to Stare Miasto (Old Town) by heading past the store fronts and cafe terraces of Nowy Âwiat and up the regal looking Krakowskie PrzedmieÊcie. It’s the same road Polish monarchs once followed on their way to and from town, and there’s still much to pause for. Composer Fryderyk Chopin was raised around these parts, and while he’s famous for his associations with France, home is where the heart is – literally. Following his death his heart was pickled in brandy then sealed in an urn inside Holy Cross Church (Krakowskie PrzedmieÊcie 3). Tucked past the elegant Bristol Hotel find the Presidential Palace: the official residence of the big man in charge. In 1955 it entered history when the Warsaw Pact – the red reply to NATO – was ratified inside. With Old Town already in view, spare a breathless few minutes to climb the viewing platform at St. Anne’s Church (Krakowskie PrzedmieÊcie 68), before heading back down … deep down. The escalator on the other side of the street was the first in Poland. Opened in 1949, socialist reliefs have been preserved to this day, as have period signs warning repeat offenders against using the escalators over and over (hey, there really was that little to do under the old system).

Old Town: If you’ve had enough of going up and down the escalator (naughty, naughty), then you could explore Mariensztat at the bottom – a powder-pink housing estate that was a model communist project. Alternately, head into the Old Town. The entrance to it is announced by the statue of King Zygmunt, the regent who chose to shift the capital from Kraków to Warsaw.

The original column, taken out by a German artillery round, lies

next to the Royal Castle.

Leveled by the Nazis in 1944, the Old Town was skillfully rebuilt using pre-war photographs and paintings as reference.

Nowadays, you’d never guess that bits of it are probably younger than yourself. Frankly, there’s too many highlights to mention, so without sounding like a tourist comic the best idea is to let your whims lead you down the cobbles and the courtyards. There are some unmissables though, those being St. John’s Cathedral with its echoing crypt, and the square itself with its Historical Museum – inside, view the story of Warsaw’s wartime destruction, before maybe heading down ul. Piwna to the Barbakan: an Italian-designed brick fortress that marks the end of the Old Town.

Warsaw’s most poignant memorial, that to boy soldiers killed in the Uprising, is found on Podwale as you curve around Old Town.

Evening Warsaw’s Old Town is a tourist-exclusive district. Come night, the locals head to the center – if you’ve packed some knockout aftershave join other predators and night owls as they prowl around the clubs of Mazowiecka and others in its radius. After the club, convene to one of the all-night shot bars that have become increasingly vogue – Meta, Pijalnia, Bar Warszawa and Przekàski Zakàski are all great spots to raise a vodka and toast your surroundings.

DAY 2: Morning Set the alarm early – museum time! The Warsaw Uprising Museum is a standout, and does a sterling job of educating visitors about the tragedy of the Uprising – the ill-fated 1944 rebellion which resulted in “the death of the city.” Costing a quarter of a million lives, the battle for Warsaw left 84 percent of the capital in a heap of rubble. Using 3D CGI effects, a high impact film takes viewers on a five-minute aerial tour of the devastated city.

If you’re keeping a “to-do” list, this should go somewhere at the top. Joining its ranks in Warsaw’s Mega Museum League is the Chopin museum, a place worth visiting even if you have no interest in the chap – reckoned to be one of the most hi-tech museums in the world, it completely redefines the sightseeing experience. Finally, the Copernicus Science Centre completes the Big Three, with hundreds of hands-on science displays that appeal not just to kids – let’s face it, who doesn’t want to return home and boast they’ve experienced an earthquake or flown on a magic carpet. Yes, that’s exactly what awaits at the Copernicus.

BEST OF WARSAW

The right bank of the Vistula is well known for its interesting nightlife

Late Afternoon Saska K´pa: With kickoff approaching, head across Most Poniatowski to amble around Saska K´pa, an upmarket district heavily sprinkled with Art Deco villas and Modernist mansions. It’s not rare to find locals declaring the area a “village within a city,” and yes, it does have that temperament. While low on specific tourist sights, it’s a quiet retreat from the madhouse downtown, and that’s especially true of Park Skaryszewski. Hiding amid the trails and ponds find a string of memorials, including a commemorative bolder honoring a British plane shot down while dropping supplies during the Uprising. Only one pilot survived, and he was present when Margaret Thatcher unveiled the memorial in 1988.

Evening Praga: Of course, there’s an ulterior motive to luring you here.

The National Stadium is bang next to Saska K´pa. While most fans will plod straight back to the center after the final whistle, don’t think you have to. The right side of the river has become synonymous with nightlife, and the bars are its business card. In

Saska K´pa, Klubokawiarnia Towarzyska has become a hit with the leftfield community, but for Warsaw at its rawest head to the bars of Praga. While this district has historically enjoyed dark local press, in recent years it’s become the home to a thriving counter-culture, with hip bars flourishing amid artsy workshops and creative projects. In this respect, ul. Zàbkowska stands out for its edgy wall art and scattering of bars. W Oparach Absurdu (Zàbkowska 6) appeals on account of a shambolic design and Bohemian bent, though to really capture the spirit(s) of this area visit Czysta Ojczysta (Zàbkowska 27/31). Entered through creepy neo-Gothic gates, this former vodka factory is currently under development. In the meantime, several of the outbuildings have been utilized for weird and wonderful uses, not least Czysta Ojczysta – a cavernous vodka bar with a “Bladerunner” backdrop.

DAY 3

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COURTESY OF KEVIN DEMARIA

COURTESY OF KEVIN DEMARIA

JUNE 4-10, 2012

Morning

The Chopin statue in ¸azienki Park

Ouch. There’s an off chance you may wake-up in a bush looking like a shot badger. Should that be the case, consider a replenishing visit to the park: Warsaw’s a green city, and her parks are her pride. To the south ¸azienki is breathtaking, and closely protected by a battalion of peacocks. If you’re here on Sunday, check out the live Chopin recitals which entertain once a week within sight of his statue. And while there, wave at the Polish team – they’re staying across the road in the Hyatt Hotel. Saski Park pleases in equal measure: opened in 1722, it was one of the first public parks in the world, and her highlights encompass 21 Baroque sandstone sculptures, as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – the one surviving element of what was once Saski Palace.

More hidden, Warsaw University Library (Dobra 56/66) has a splendid park positioned on the roof, though for the Insider’s favorite little secret, check Osiedle Domków Fiƒskich (ul.

Jazdów). Consisting of 28 wooden chalets, it’s an amazing housing project in the center of the city: constructed in 1945 to house architects involved in the rebuilding program, the pre-built cabins were imported from Finland. Set against a serene wooded background, the sensation is akin to being teleported to a tiny Swiss village.

Afternoon Retail therapy time, with serious shoppers advised to gravitate around Mokotowska / pl. Trzech Krzy˝y. Designer names shout from each awning, with major international fashion houses sharing the streets with upcoming local names like Maciej Zieƒ. Boutique unique indeed. But no trip to this area can be complete without first exercising the credit card at Vitkac – Poland’s only luxury department store. Celebrate your splurge in the on-site champagne bar. For something totally different, then pencil in a visit to the Ko∏o Market on ul. Oboêna. Held each Sunday, this flea market is legendary for its offer: antiques from various eras vie for space alongside war loot and communist keepsakes.

Evening That’s it: Warsaw in a nutshell. Enjoyed it? Then say goodbye in style. Squeezed between the Old Town and the river, a jazzy looking fountain park amuses each night with choreographed water displays that draw hundreds of onlookers.

Then again, maybe drinks at the pub sounds like a far better plan …

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Food & drink

Food & drink

Taste your favourite coffee in coffeeheaven

Butchery & Wine

offeeheaven is much more than just a coffee – for the customers it has become a synonym of the best-quality products, the best people and the best ambient atmosphere.

For 12 years, as an unquestionable Polish market leader, it has been a haven for all those seeking premium coffee and food. Havens of relaxation, recharge and revitalisation, coffeeheaven stores are conveniently located in shopping malls, high streets, railway stations and airports.

It’s an ideal place for those on the move as well as for those who wish to relax and enjoy their coffee and snack. Come and visit the unforgettable cof-

C

fee stores of coffeeheaven.

Locations: • BUW, ul. Dobra 55/56 • Nowy Âwiat, ul. Nowy Âwiat 46 • Porty Lotnicze / Airport, ul. ˚wirki i Wigury 1 • Forum, Al. Jerozolimskie 33 • Plac Trzech Krzy˝y / Three

Crosses Square, ul. ˚urawia 1A • Plac Teatralny / Theatre Square, ul. Senatorska 18 • Plan Bankowy / Bank Square, Pl. Bankowy 2 • Dworzec Centralny PKP / Warsaw Central railway station, Al. Jerozolimskie 54 Find our location, www.coffeeheaven.pl

Atelier by Amaro

San Lorenzo or two decades San Lorenzo has been earning accolades and praise as Warsaw’s number one destination for Italian dining. Split in two parts, the top floor offers elegant dining inside extravagant belle époque interiors; especially popular among romancing couples and corporate diners, guests can expect authenticity to the tee. That’s largely down to attention to detail: an Italian chef, original Italian prod-

like foie gras parfait with red onion marmalade. Even so, it’s the steaks that have made this place a hit, and here you’ll find faultless cows served up on thick wooden boards: Polish Red Angus, New York and ribeye are among the outstanding offer. Presented by staff in pin-striped butchery aprons, the results are, undoubtedly, the best steak in Poland. Twin that with an excellent wine selection, and you have a venue of some repute. ● ul. ˚urawia 22, tel. (22) 502 31 18

Food & drink

Food & drink

F

ore proof of Warsaw’s culinary renaissance arrives in the form of Butchery & Wine. Light and bright, B&W has a smart look that’s the definition of relaxed cosmopolitan. Featuring clean woods and airy windows, it’s become a dining darling among celebrity couples and corporate spenders, and it’s likely you’ll find both mammals present whatever time you visit.

The menu itself is minimal in choice, with a smattering of starters that include serious temptations

M

ucts, fresh seafood and homemade pasta and bread. Luca, the head chef, is a professor of his art, and his masterpieces number fresh tuna tartar, Fiorentina steak and spaghetti served with half a lobster. On the ground floor, proceedings are more informal, and the café bar is a popular meeting point where Italian expats converge to watch soccer. Passions rise the moment the soccer is screened, with the atmos-

he recipient of a Michelin Rising Star award earlier this year, Atelier has become the most talked about restaurant in Poland – not that you’ll find anyone working here referring to that “r” word: “I prefer to think of this as a culinary workshop,” says chef Wojciech Modest Amaro, “a place where things are created; where nature meets science.”

It’s a philosophy that’s reflected in the menu. Having spent 18 months traveling Poland to search and source the finest ingredients, the result is a menu of slow food

T

phere pleasantly stoked by the availability of over 100 kinds of Chianti as well as wines from all across Italy. ● Al. Jana Paw∏a II 36, tel. (22) 652 16 16

enhanced by modern techniques: blasts of nitrogen, for instance. Diners choose from three-, five- or eight-course “moments,” with each interspersed with complimentary, and occasionally bizarre, molecular interludes (e.g. a fizzy aloe leaf). The menu changes frequently, making specific recommendations arbitrary, but a fivestar once-in-alifetime experience is guaran-

teed. With a limited table plan in this chic, understated spot, reservations aren’t so much suggested as essential. ● ul. Agrykola 1, tel. (22) 628 57 47

Warsaw Business Journal presents Real Estate weekly newsletter • Know about the newest projects before they’re on the market • Keep up to date on the latest tenders and auctions • Learn the latest trends in Poland’s dynamic office, residential and retail sectors • Find out who’s who in Polish real estate To subscribe: e-mail subscribe@wbj.pl or call +48 22 639 85 68, ext. 201 and sign up for free two-week no-obligation trial subscription

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City tours

Behind the Scenes! here’s more to Warsaw this summer than the football, the stadium and that cup everyone is talking about. Discover the hidden side of town on this tour with a twist. Journey to Warsaw’s hidden nooks and crannies in an immaculately preserved communist era fire van, or a Fiat 125p: yep, exactly the sort of car you’d have found Poland’s retro football stars pootling around in. Whether it’s hidden pre-war remains, or obscure traces of Communism, Warsaw Behind the Scenes lifts the lid on the city’s deepest secrets!

Promising a total departure from your stereotypical tour,

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your adventure penetrates the mask of this emerging capital – and, along the way, expect to be enjoying some true hospitality: Polish style! Prepare for vodka shots and bites in locations that history has forgotten! Choose

from two tours: one starting at 11:00, and another that peers into Warsaw after dark starting at 19:00! ● For more information www.warsawscenes.com, Marcin 605 278 289

Food & drink

Tamka 43 et next to the Chopin Museum, Tamka 43 is the brainchild of co-owners entrepreneur Pawe∏ Kwiatkowski and chef Robert Trzópek. Mr Trzópek’s pedigree, so to speak, is spotless. Originally from Gdaƒsk, he has worked under some of the finest chefs in the world, at Noma in Copenhagen and with Ferran Adria, who is considered one of the originators of the molecular gastronomy (or deconstructionism) movement, at el Bulli.

This is not a restaurant for picky eaters or for people who

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don’t like their vegetables. Or maybe it is, because their appearance and taste will be pleasantly unrecognizable. Our starters consisted of paper thin vegetable chips paired with a carrot/orange foam dip, and the mains are equally maverick. As for dessert – no trip here is complete without first tasting the vegetable ice cream. Sleek and slick, this

attractive restaurant is not a tourist trap – like the location suggests – rather a superb venue emblematic of Warsaw’s gastronomic rise. ●

Food & drink

12 Stolików rucza street has traditionally been a graveyard for business – a place where restaurants do well to survive, let alone thrive. Looking odds on to break the hex is 12 Stolików, a trendy eatery looking to cash in on the areas rising stock as Warsaw’s culinary axis.

Aesthetically speaking it’s a triumph from the off. Affecting a chichi style, the look here is clean, crisp and scattered with lifestyle titles. Set against milk

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white colors, the overall effect instantly impresses. And forming the central element of it all is the kitchen – here’s a restaurant that embraces the credos of cooking as a form of theater, with all the cutting and chopping conducted just yards from your table.

The menu – scrawled on a blackboard – works equally well, and makes use of international recipes cooked with the finest local produce: the steak scores a perfect ten. ●

THE NEXT EDITION OF MADE IN POLAND WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON WARSAW BUSINESS JOURNAL’S ANNUAL PUBLICATION ON POLISH EXPORTS

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Euro 2012

Up for the cup The waiting is over, and the time for heroes and villains is upon us. From June 8 all eyes in Poland will be focused on Euro 2012. Without further ado, Warsaw Insider presents its dedicated rundown of who to watch and where to watch them

Group A The Czech Republic Overview: A series of underwhelming performances saw the Czechs come within a whisker of being bumped into touch during the qualifying stages, and only a play-off triumph over Montenegro saved their campaign. But goalkeeper Petr Cech, while no longer the invincible force he once was, will add confidence to a solid defense, while the creativity of Tomas Rosicky always promises to pose problems. With a healthy number of traveling supporters expected to make the short journey to Poland, making it out of the group is a realistic target.

Star Man: Club scouts will be watching Tomas Necid. Now fully recovered from a serious knee injury, the striker has been tracked by some of Europe’s top clubs – in a side that looks blunt upfront, his goals will be key.

Where to Watch: U Szwejka (Pl. Konstytucji 1) / Czeska Baszta (Tower 22A, Most Poniatowskiego). Prague street signs and pictures of the simpleton, Good Soldier Szwejk, adorn the walls at U Szwejka, a restaurant serving traditional Czech food. Alternatively, head to Czeska Baszta to try their 80+ brands of import lager.

The Polish Connection: In 1968 accountant Ryszard Siwiec set himself ablaze at Warsaw’s 10th Anniversary Stadium (the site of today’s National Stadium) to protest against the Soviet Union’s invasion of the Czech Republic.

Did You Know? No other European country comes close to topping the Czechs’ beer consumption – so, probably handy that this little republic has the highest hospital-bed-per-person ratio in the EU. Greece Overview: The Greeks have come a long way since their surprise triumph in Portugal, 2004. Unfortunately for them, it’s been the wrong way. Faring dismally in their last international tournaments, they’re a side lacking charisma, flair and penetration – much like their 2004 squad, in fact. The omens don’t bode well for this side, but Fernando Santos’ team will be encouraged by a table-topping qualifying campaign that included a home victory against the Croats. Defense still remains their strength, and unlocking it could well present a stern test for the other sides

in Group A. But any hopes Greece harbor of adding to their trophy haul are reflected by the long odds being offered by the bookies.

Russia

Germany Overview: Russia

were the surprise package of Euro 2008, advancing to the semis having played some thrilling soccer. Since then the talismanic Andrey Arshavin has suffered a catastrophic loss of form, yet even so Russia should have enough in the tank to make it through a weak group. From there they’ll need to be rolling double six – with Italy or Spain as likely opponents in the second stage, they’ll need the Gods on their side.

Star Man: This Greek side will play as a unit, not as individuals, and it’s hard to see many teams breaching their watertight back four. Even so, most pundits agree, if there are to be flashes of brilliance they’re likely to come from winger Sotiris Ninis, a player once linked with Manchester United.

Star Man: No matter what kind of shift Andrey Arshavin puts in, 21year-old playmaker Alan Dzagoev is tipped to outshine him.

Where to Watch: There’s a raft of

Where to Watch: The Russians are

Greek restaurants in Warsaw, but few match Tawerna Patris in terms of atmosphere.

rumored to be setting up their own fan zone in Pole Mokotowskie, but if that doesn’t come to fruition then head to folksy Babooshka for a stiff shot of vodka.

The Polish Connection: Over 12,000 Greeks fled to Poland during and after the Greek Civil War in the 1940s, with the Polish government settling the majority in the town of Zgorzelec.

Did You Know? When it was first penned in 1823, the Greek national anthem contained a staggering 158 stanzas. Keep to the short version this summer, please.

Poland Overview:

Most Polish fans would be happy to see Poland qualify from their group and avoid humiliation in the next round. With no recent competitive games to judge them on, their record in friendlies has included a defeat against Lithuania and victory over Argentina – go figure. Head coach Franciszek Smuda needs to instill a level of consistency, and hope his team of journeymen gel once the whistle sounds. Gifted the easiest group of the lot, anything less than a quarter-final berth will be viewed as a disgrace.

Star Man: All eyes are on striker Robert Lewandowski, regarded as Poland’s best player in a generation.

Where to Watch: Tricky one. Expect everywhere and anywhere to be mobbed with face-painted Poles tooting into plastic trumpets: the fan zone, the pub, your neighbor’s shed.

For the seminal patriotic Polish experience, hit ¸azienkowska 3 – the Legia Warszawa pub.

The Polish Connection: Most Poniatowskiego, the bridge fans will cross to reach the National Stadium, was originally named after Tsar Nicholas II. In less than 100 years this piece of Russian imperialism has burnt down once, collapsed another time, and been blown up twice.

Did You Know? Catherine the Great was so enraged to discover she had dandruff she imprisoned her hairdresser for three years in an iron cage.

Group B Denmark Overview:

Denmark start the tournament as rank outsiders, with some bookmakers slapping odds of 100-1 on them. Drawn in a particularly scary group of death, not even the optimists are touching this lot, and the subsequent lack of pressure could act in their favor.

Star Man: Nicklas Bendtner has long proclaimed his greatness, but he’s kidding no one. If Denmark are to do well they’ll need youngster Christian Eriksen firing on all cylinders.

Where to Watch: Poor Denmark. In a city full of niche bars and restaurants, only the Danes lack a place to call home.

The Polish Connection: You know Did You Know? Better known for dark, chilly winters, Poland is also home to one of Europe’s last surviving deserts: Pustynia B∏´dowska.

German military commander Erwin Rommel was so impressed by “the Polish Sahara” he chose to train his desert troops there.

David Ingham, Alex Webber

that little mermaid that sits in Copenhagen harbor? Well, according to some legends, she’s the blood sister of Warsaw’s own syrenka.

Did You Know? Calling all crooks – escaping from a Danish prison is not illegal.

Overview:

Germany have undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years: from the team everyone loves to hate, to the team everyone loves … to love. Gone is the methodical, mechanical approach of old, replaced instead by a slick passing game that has seen them installed as second favorites. Coach Joachim Löw has a wealth of talent to choose from – as well as a lethal front line – meaning the Germans are sure to enjoy a productive campaign.

Star Man: The 2010 World Cup launched Mesut Özil as a global superstar; he enters the Euros on the back of a phenomenal season with Real Madrid.

Where to Watch: Adler (Mokotowska 69) is better known as a bit of a golden oldies Bavarian themed eatery – their takings will soar this summer.

The Polish Connection: In the words of Basil Fawlty: “Don’t mention the war.” So we won’t. Instead, as Poland struggle to breach defenses this summer, their fans will wonder what could have been if Polish-born strikers Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski had opted to represent their country of birth ahead of that country next door.

for creating reality nightmare Big Brother.

Portugal Overview: Which Portugal will turn up the one that stuttered to a 4-4 home draw against Cyprus, or the one that destroyed Bosnia 6-2? Portugal are capable of scintillating soccer, but will require big performances from their big players – of which they have many. Still smarting from surrendering the final in 2004, this flair side has developed fast under coach Paulo Bento, but will need to learn to box clever against the others in their group.

Star Man: Cristiano Ronaldo has been devastating for Real Madrid this season, and should he replicate his club form Portugal have a chance to advance.

Where to Watch: Warsaw’s Portuguese expats will be gathering at Portucale (Merliniego 2). Wannabe Ronaldos can practice their diving in the Aqua Park close by.

The Polish Connection: According to one recent study, Portuguese resident/explorer Christopher Columbus wasn’t of Italian extraction, but actually the son of W∏adys∏aw III, the exiled King of Poland.

Did You Know? Portugal spent

Did You Know? With over 400 to pick from, Germany has more zoos than any other country in the world.

The Netherlands Overview:

The neutral’s favorite.

The Netherlands bring with them a rich reputation for gung-ho soccer, dressing-room feuds and eccentric support. While coach Bert van Marwijk has introduced a more businesslike approach to Dutch soccer, they still look irresistible going forward: With a side boasting Sneijder, Robben, Hunterlaar and Van Persie, we’re looking for plenty of thrills and spills to come from this lot, not to say a blood-and-thunder performance against arch-rivals Germany.

Star Man: Robin van Persie has been outstanding for Arsenal of late, and he’ll be looking to atone for a quiet World Cup with a couple of deadly displays.

Where to Watch: The diminutive Wiatraki (Warecka 8) regularly holds mixers for Dutch expats and will hit fever pitch this summer.

The Polish Connection: Art dealer Hendrick Uylenburgh, who many credit for developing Rembrandt’s career, was raised in Kraków.

Did You Know? Blame the Dutch

€600 million delivering 10 stadiums for Euro 2004.

Group C Spain Overview:

On paper the current European Championship and World Cup holders have the strongest squad in the whole tournament with a team packed full of outstanding players. In fact manager Vicente del Bosque’s biggest worry may be actually trying to pick a starting midfield from a talent pool including the likes of Fabregas, Alonso, Xavi, Busquets, Silva, Iniesta and Mata. And with Chelsea’s Fernando Torres finally back among the goals and regaining confidence it would be foolish to bet against the Spaniards going far once again this year. But as no team has ever managed to retain the Henri Delaunay Trophy, it appears that history is against them.

Star Man: A difficult choice, but Barcelona’s little genius, Xavi, just pips it for his perfect passing ability.

Where to Watch: Tapa y Toro (ul.

Z∏ota 59). With a location next to the fan zone, and a great outdoor area, it’ll be nothing less than packed.

The Polish Connection: 13 Polish footballers have played in Spain’s top

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division, La Liga, the last of which was goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek who warmed the bench at Real Madrid for four seasons.

Did You Know? Spain has the largest number of coffee shops, bars and restaurants in the European Union, with around 350,000.

Italy Overview:

Since winning the tournament back in 1968 the Azzuri have only reached one final, Euro 2000, when they lost out to a golden goal by France’s David Trezeguet. This time around the Italians are something of an unknown quantity, with a distinct lack of superstars in their tournament squad. In qualifying they scored 20 goals and conceded just two in 10 games to sail through to the final stages. But, in a group that contained teams such as Estonia, Slovenia and Northern Ireland it was only to be expected. However, with the right blend of youth and experience, plus the unpredictable talent of madcap striker Mario Balotelli in the camp to ease the boredom on off days, Italy could potentially go far this time around. Unlikely to win the whole thing, they have every chance of reaching the semis.

pect the Irish support to take over Poznaƒ and Gdaƒsk this June as the Boys in Green play in their first European Championships since 1988. Sensible analysis suggests that the group’s three other teams may have too much for this Irish side but with a backbone of experienced players, plus manager Giovanni Trapattoni at the helm, you can never say never. If they can get a positive result against Croatia in their opener then expect Irish optimism to go through the roof.

England

the most commonly spoken foreign language in Ireland according to the country’s 2011 census.

Did You Know? Legendary Thin Lizzy lead singer and hell-raiser Phil Lynott was raised in Dublin and a life-sized bronze statue of the musician was unveiled in the city in 2005.

Overview: Famed

tory, AC Milan’s Antonio Cassano remains a genuine talent and currently offers Italy’s biggest goalscoring threat.

for their skillful play and fanatical fans, Croatia always add a bit of excitement to any major international tournament. Currently led by a chain smoking, guitar playing, law graduate – former Premier League defender Slaven Bilic – the Croats have a decent record in the European Championships since first being accepted into UEFA back in 1993. This time around they will do well to match their two quarterfinal appearances, which occurred in 1996 and 2008, but with Tottenham midfielders Niko Kranjcar and Luka Modric pulling the strings in midfield, creating goals shouldn’t be a problem. If they are to progress through the group it looks likely they’ll need to beat Ireland and get at least a draw against either Spain or Italy.

The Polish Connection: Italian Princess Bona Sforza became Queen of Poland in 1518 after she married King Zygmunt I. She did a runner after poisoning her son’s girlfriend, and her ghost now purportedly haunts Czersk Castle.

Did You Know? Soccer supporters in Italy are called Tifosi, which translates as “carriers of typhus.”

Republic of Ireland Overview: Ireland have one huge advantage over the other teams in Group C: their fans.

Onlookers can ex-

won’t be fancied by many at this year’s Euros given that their recent results have been mixed at best. But as is often the case in tournaments, when the home nation play the form book is thrown out of the window. Remember South Korea in 2002? Ukraine’s fans will definitely be key to the co-host’s potential progress. The influence of the 1975 European Footballer of the Year and current head coach, Oleg Blokhin, may also be pivotal.

Where to Watch: Bradley’s (ul.

Croatia

Lorenzo (Al. Jana Paw∏a II 36).

Upstairs it’s a swank eatery. The café downstairs though is popular with noisy Italians cheering the soccer.

Overview: Ukraine

Group D

The Polish Connection: Polish is

Star Man: Nikica Jelavic. A revelation at Everton this season, the former Rangers star is an old-fashioned number nine who always keeps a cool head in front of goal.

ers, nowhere in the UK is more than 119 kilometers from the sea.

ended Poland’s hopes of qualifying through the group stages of Euro 2008 with a one-nil win in Klagenfurt four years ago.

also known as Dubrovnik hunters, come from Dalmatia, the coastal region of Croatia.

Overview: Sensible analysis of England’s chances would suggest a country which has failed to even get to the final of a major tournament since 1966 has absolutely no chance of winning Euro 2012. Without Wayne Rooney for the first two matches, a new manager who’s had just a month to prepare the team and a bunch of pampered players who don’t give a hoot, more woe could be on the way for the country’s long-suffering faithful. But then again English people never have been sensible when it comes to analysis of their own team’s chances. Buoyed by Chelsea’s success in the Champions League, and a thrilling finish to the domestic league, national confidence is sky high – if England win their first game expect the red and white mist to descend and even the most hesitant fans to predict England in the final.

Star Man: His star may be on the wane, but former AC Milan hit-man Andriy Shevchenko might just have enough in his locker to further cement his place as a national hero.

Where to Watch: Kresowiak (Al. Wilanowska 43C). Although not strictly a one-country restaurant, with food based around traditional dishes from Ukraine, Lithuania and Belarus, Kresowiak certainly provides a real taste of the near east.

The Polish Connection: The Ukrainian city of Lviv was once the Polish city of Lwów, before becoming part of the Soviet Union in August 1946.

Did You Know? Opened in 1960, the Arsenalna Metro Station in Kiev is the deepest underground train station in the world, at 105 meters.

Star Man: Scott Parker. Part World War II RAF pilot, part 1940s soccering gentlemen – this throwback to the past is a firm fan’s favorite.

Where to Watch: Legends (ul.

Emilia Plater 25) and The British Bulldog Pub (ul. Krucza 42) will go head-to-head to draw the exiles through the door. If rumors are to be believed, you’ll find the Bulldog open 24/7 for the bigger matches.

The Polish Connection: The Great Escape: the daring break away of British troops from Nazi POW camp Stalag Luft III – immortalized in the Steve McQueen film of the same name – took place in

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team, they look a hot bet to progress as far as the semis.

Did You Know? A nation of seafar-

Ukraine

Robbie Keane Ireland have a man who knows where the back of the net is at international level. If he fails to score expect Ireland fans to be flying back home after the group stages.

Sienna 39) remains the No. 1 Irish pub in town. It’ll be mad.

˚agaƒ, 150 clicks from Poznaƒ.

The Polish Connection: Croatia

Did You Know? Dalmatian dogs, Star Man: In LA Galaxy striker

Star Man: Despite a checkered his-

Where to Watch: Ristorante San

Where to Watch: Guccio Damagoj (ul. Suzina 8). Located in a former cinema and run by a Croat who has resided in Poland for the past six years, this little restaurant offers topquality Croatian wine and food.

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France Overview: Champions in 1984 and 2000, Les Bleus were the laughing stock at the World Cup in South Africa two years ago when a players’ mutiny derailed any hope their aging team had of getting through the group stages. Since then Lauren Blanc has brought some pride back to the nation and, despite various sex and racial scandals affecting French soccer, has managed to steer his side successfully through qualifying. With a midfield packed full of creative talent from the likes of Nasri, Ribéry and Cabaye this team could potentially score goals by the bagful. With a feel-good factor coursing through the

Star Man: Goals win games and in Karim Benzema France have a striker capable of leaving any goalkeeper in the world flapping on the turf.

Where to Watch: L’Arc (ul.

Pu∏awska 16), has excellent French food and wine. Whether they have a screen remains unknown.

The Polish Connection: Former French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte is still revered by some Poles after he created the Duchy of Warsaw in 1807, following defeat of Prussia – that’s why a statue of him was recently unveiled in Pl. Powstaƒców Warszawy.

Did You Know? French fries, made famous around the world following the return of soldiers from World War II, are actually from Belgium.

Sweden Overview: The Swedes could be the dark horse of Group C despite most observers ignoring them in favor of France and England. But an impressive qualifying campaign which saw them defeat the Netherlands 3-2 in their final game to go through automatically, demonstrates that they shouldn’t be taken lightly. Usually fairly sturdy at the back, the key to success for the Scandinavians will be the goals of AC Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the wing play of Lyon’s Kim Kallstrom.

Star Man: Maverick striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a man who was once caught in Malmo’s red light district dressed as a police officer attempting to arrest curb crawlers, could light up the tournament if he is on song.

Where to Watch: IKEA (ul. Malborska 51). Surely there’ll be a screen!?

The Polish Connection: Between 1563 and 1721 Sweden and the Lithuanian-Polish Commonwealth were involved in series of wars known as the Polish-Swedish Wars Did You Know? Porky poker pro and one-time international footballer Thomas Brolin famously collided with an elk in his home country, prompting the headline: “Huge Swedish Beast Unhurt After Hitting Elk.” ●

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Polish retro soccer

Poland’s soccer past classic World Cup, 1974 heralded the tournament’s first red card, a newlook trophy and the concept of “total football.” It also signaled the arrival of the Polish national team. Poland entered the competition as an unknown quantity, and while they had edged out England in the qualifiers, that result was largely seen as a fluke. It wasn’t.

Their first match saw a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Argentina, and their class was emphasized the following game courtesy of a 7-0 mauling of a shell-shocked Haiti.

Italy were dispatched 2-1, and Sweden and Yugoslavia were next to the sword. Poland then found themselves facing the hosts, West Germany, with a place in the final at stake.

Torrential rain had left the pitch waterlogged, and in spite of Polish protests, the Austrian referee insisted the match go ahead. Poland’s fast moving, cavalier game was useless in such conditions, and the Poles crashed out to a 76th minute Gerd Müller goal. Poland signed off on a high, however, with Grzegorz Lato’s seventh goal of the tournament win-

Madrid, Deyna eventually secured his dream move abroad in ’78 when he signed for Man City. While his spell at Maine Road was marred by injury, the former Legia hero earned cult status thanks to a catalog of match-winning outings. A move to San Diego beckoned in the 80s, and it was in America that the maverick playmaker was tragically killed in a car crash.

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Poland vs West Germany at World Cup ‘74 ning him the Golden Boot, and sealing a third place, 1-0 win over Brazil. The golden era of Polish football had begun.

Polish footballing greats Jan Tomaszewski A.k.a. ‘The Man Who Stopped England.’ Keeper Jan Tomaszewski is commonly remembered for an epic performance in ’73, when he pulled off a string of superhuman saves to book Poland a place in the ’74

World Cup at the expense of England. Labeled a “clown” by Brian Clough on the eve of the match, Tomaszewski’s name remains bitterly etched in the memory of every Englishman.

He continued to serve as Poland’s number one for many years, and has since carved a niche as a controversial commentator and politician for PiS. More recently, tabloid allegations suggest Tomaszewski may have worked as a communist

agent during his footballing heyday.

Kazimierz Deyna Nicknamed rogal (croissant) on account of his bendy shots, Deyna stands out, arguably, as Poland’s greatest ever talent.

Top scorer in the ’72 Olympics, his contribution in the ’74 World Cup campaign saw him voted third in the European Footballer of the Year awards.

Heavily courted by Real

Zbigniew Boniek The only Polish player picked

by Pele in his list of “125 Greatest Living Footballers.”

Considered one of the best dribblers of the era, Boniek was transferred to Juventus from Widzew ¸ódê in 1982, whereupon he became a firm hit with the fans of Italy’s biggest club. Dubbed bello di note (beauty of the night), on account of his knack for excelling during evening games, Boniek inspired Poland to third in the ’82 World Cup, and helped lead Juve to the Cup Winners’ Cup and European Cup. As a coach Boniek has fared less successfully, and his managerial career includes stints at minor Italian sides, and a disastrous spell with

Poland – his reign reaching a nadir with a 1-0 reversal at home to Latvia.

Architecture The Stadium Stadion Naradowy (the National Stadium) takes center stage this summer, but before you take your seat at this 21st-century arena, spare a thought for what came before.

Built atop of vast volumes of battle rubble, Stadion Dziesi´ciolecia (the 10th Anniversary Stadium) opened in 1955 to coincide with the first decade of communist rule in Poland.

The oval shaped open arena was established as the national stadium, with the last international match played in 1983 – a draw against Finland. The same year Pope John Paul II held mass here for 100,000 people. Following the fall of communism the overgrown stadium developed into one of Europe’s great outdoor bazaars, with all sorts of dubious goods traded for hard cash.

Today, nothing remains of the original structure aside from a statue of three relay racers poised for glory.

Alex Webber

JUNE 4-10, 2012

GOAL! EURO 2012 FEATURE

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➡ Continued from p. 13 have been impossible to complete even without the numerous difficulties which have plagued the construction process, including severe floods and contract disputes.

Despite the delays and obvious failings of the roadbuilding program, progress has undoubtedly been made.

The country now has 120 percent more highways than it did in 2007, a feat largely attributable to the need to improve ahead of Euro 2012.

“The change is visible for everyone who travels through Poland. The country is currently Europe’s biggest construction site. This means that in terms of legacy the impact Euro 2012 has had is enormous,” Mr Piotrowski said.

On the right track In addition to road improvements there has also been significant work done on both air and rail infrastructure.

Airports in or near the four host cities have seen major upgrades, all of which have been completed ahead of the June 8 kickoff. Warsaw’s Chopin Airport, Gdaƒsk Lech Wa∏´sa airport, Wroc∏aw Copernicus airport and Poznaƒ-¸awica airport have all had new terminals constructed, which will enable the country to cope with the expected influx of fans.

“Polish airports can now deal with two times as many passengers in all the key airports than they could in 2007,” said Micha∏ Jankowski, media communications manager at PL.2012.

In terms of rail infrastructure, improvements have been made to tracks throughout the country, while host city train stations have been given major facelifts, making them look – at least on the surface – much more like major European transport hubs than they did a few years ago.

On June 1, the much-trumpeted rail link between Chopin airport and central Warsaw also opened. A total of 13 trains will carry 1,000 passengers at a time and will enable traveling supporters to get to the National Stadium without having to use other public transport services.

A fitting setting Poland now has four stadiums worthy of being compared with the best modern stadiums anywhere in the world.

Apart from Poznaƒ’s Municipal Stadium, which received a major upgrade in preparation for Euro 2012, the three other Polish stadiums in the host cities of Gdaƒsk, Wroc∏aw and Warsaw were all

purpose-built for June’s showpiece event.

During the building process there was widespread criticism from both the media and opposition political parties regarding delays, particularly concerning the National Stadium in Warsaw, which suffered numerous setbacks.

Nevertheless, all the stadiums are ready and now look worthy of hosting the world’s third-biggest sporting event.

“I spoke to [Polish striker] Robert Lewandowski recently and he told me that he really believes the stadiums in Gdaƒsk and Warsaw are the best he has seen in Europe,” said Wojciech Szaniawski, editor of the Polish version of the FourFourTwo soccer magazine.

“I’m not sure if they are the best but they are certainly impressive,” he added.

Somewhat inevitably these visible symbols of progress are also helping to change the locals’ mentality that Poland would never be able to host such an important event.

“Back in 2008, I asked a Warsaw taxi driver to take me to the site of the National Stadium and he laughed and said, ‘It won’t be ready on time,’” said PL.2012’s Mr Piotrowski.

“Recently I had the same driver and as we approached the stadium he said, ‘You see. I always believed we would do it,’ which shows that Poles now buy into the idea of ‘yes we can.’”

The true test of Poland’s Euro 2012 stadiums will come after the tournament, when operators face the challenge of using them to secure revenue through major concerts, events and soccer matches.

Only then will operators find out whether the stadiums can be proven to be a valuable long-term investment and not just expensive white elephants.

History shows that stadiums built for specific tournaments can often become expensive relics, rather than money making ventures, and it is up to private companies and city governments to work together to ensure that doesn’t happen in Poland.

The meaning of success On the field, sports experts, fans and Poland’s coach Francziscek Smuda are all united in the opinion that getting out of the group stage and making it at least as far as the quarterfinals would be a major achievement for the country’s international team.

Of the current Polish squad, which includes the highly rated Borussia Dortmund trio of Robert Lewandowski, ¸ukasz Pisz-

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Poland’s chance to shine

Poland now has some of the best stadiums in Europe. Here, the PGE Arena in Gdaƒsk czek, and captain Jakub B∏aszczykowski, only Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szcz´sny was confident enough to openly say he thinks Poland can go all the way, according to Mr Szaniawski. But that doesn’t mean it is completely unthinkable that Poland can win Euro 2012.

“The Polish squad is the strongest we’ve had in 16 years, but to get further than the quarter-finals will be difficult. I think we can finish second behind Russia, then we will probably play Germany, the favorites. If we beat them, then anything is possible,” Mr Szaniawski added.

Off the field “image” is the buzz word constantly used by those involved with the organization side of the tournament.

The main goal for Euro 2012’s organizers is to strengthen Poland’s image in Europe, which it is hoped will then increase the number of tourists and the amount of foreign investment in the country.

“This is the event when we will shake hands with Europe and say, “Look guys, we are the same as you and you are welcome here in our country,” said Mr Piotrowski.

“We just want Poland to be seen as a normal, modern, European country,” he added.

And if Poland manages that, it will be Euro 2012’s most important legacy.

David Ingham

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GOAL! EURO 2012 FEATURE

www.wbj.pl

JUNE 4-10, 2012

Team profiles

WBJ takes a look at the 16 teams that will compete in Euro 2012 and picks out the potential stars and winners of the world’s third-largest sporting event Group A Poland Greece Russia Czech Republic

Group B Netherlands Denmark Germany Portugal

Poland’s chances Blessed with a winnable group, Poland also has arguably some of its best players in years, with the Borussia Dortmund trio of Robert Lewandowski, Jakub B∏aszczykowski and ¸ukasz Piszczek, as well as Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szcz´sny, in their Euro 2012 squad.

The team does, however, have its weaknesses, with a poor central defense and few back-up strikers being among coach Franciszek Smuda’s key concerns. But they do have the major advantage of playing at home, and, backed by thousands of patriotic Poles, the Eagles should have enough to make it through the group stage.

from 10 games, which included 34 goals scored and only seven conceded. Their all-out attacking style is not typically German but it has won them fans from across the globe. Expect them to be there, or thereabouts, at the business end of the tournament.

Fellow “group of death” side the Netherlands also came in at the top of their qualifying group with nine wins and one loss. The 2010 World Cup finalists have every chance of going all the way if they escape the group.

Players to watch Robert Lewandowski: 30 goals this season makes the Pole one of Europe’s sharpest marksmen.

Potential winners Group C Spain Italy Republic of Ireland Croatia

Group D Ukraine Sweden France England

Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010 winner Spain has to be the outright favorite considering the quality of the players available to manager Vicente del Bosque. But given the fact that no team has ever retained the European Championship, the omens aren’t particularly good for the Spanish side.

Germany qualified for this summer’s tournament with a 100 percent record of 10 wins

Cristiano Ronaldo: The Portuguese player scored 60 goals in just 55 games in 2011/2012.

Mesut Özil: The Real Madrid play-maker could be key if Germany is to go all the way.

Nikica Jelaviç: A sensation in the English Premier League this season, the Croat is an old-fashioned striker with nerves of steel in front of goal.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Ones to watch

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo scored 60 goals in 55 games this season Xavi Hernández: The midfield maestro is already a Spanish legend and could further cement his reputation this summer.

stranger things have happened.

If England can navigate their way through the group stage, Wayne Rooney could light up the tournament and England might just snatch it.

Netherlands v Germany – Euro ‘88 featured the Netherlands’ most famous victory over West Germany, but any time the two neighbors meet there are sure to be fireworks.

Grudge matches

England v France – though somewhat more friendly than the other rivalries, the English and the French have hundreds of years of shared history that means any game between the two sides is always a partisan affair.

Dark horse England – Disarray in the camp, which included John Terry being stripped of the captaincy and manager Fabio Capello resigning just months before the tournament, plus numerous below-par performances in recent years, suggest England have little chance of winning Euro 2012. But

Poland v Russia – This is a massive game. More so for Poles than Russians, given the years of communist rule and Russian occupation. This is the game that most Polish supporters are desperate to win.

David Ingham

GOAL! EURO 2012 FEATURE

JUNE 4-10, 2012

www.wbj.pl

Stadium guide

Polish stadiums await Euro 2012 kick-off

National Stadium Location: Warsaw Al. Zieleniecka Capacity: 58,145 Profile: Located on the former site of the 10th-Anniversary Stadium, in the capital’s Praga Po∏udnie district, the National Stadium is the largest of the four Polish Euro 2012 venues, with a capacity of almost 60,000.

The stadium’s retractable PVC roof, which unfolds from a nest on a needle suspended above the center of the pitch, means games will be unaffected by rain and other adverse weather conditions.

PGE Arena

Location: Wroc∏aw Al. Âlàska 1 Capacity: 44,416 Profile: Located next to the River Âl´za, the Municipal Stadium in Wroc∏aw is designed to resemble a Chinese lantern. It hosted its first event on September 10, 2011, when Polish boxer Tomasz Adamek fought Vitali Klitschko for the WBC heavyweight title. The stadium, which is the home ground of soccer team Âlàsk Wroc∏aw, officially opened one week later when pop singer George Michael played a concert there.

Euro 2012 games to be played there: Russia v Czech Republic, June 8; Greece v Czech Republic, June 12 and

Location: Gdaƒsk ul. Pokoleƒ Lechii Gdaƒsk 1 Capacity: 44,636 Profile: The PGE Arena is the most northerly of the four Polish Euro 2012 stadiums, being located in Gdaƒsk, on the Baltic coast. The stadium’s sound system, which was provided by ESS Audio (who also supplied sound equipment for the stadiums in Warsaw and Poznaƒ) is coated in fiber glass, making it resistant to both salt water and extreme cold.

The PGE Arena’s curved exterior is designed to resemble amber, the precious stone for which the local region is famous. In addition to hosting

ŁOMIANKI

8

7

WARSAW

TERESIN

2

BŁONIE

ŚWIĘCICE A2

NATIONAL STADIUM

OŻARÓW MAZ. PRUSZKÓW JANKI 8 7

ŁAZY

PIASECZNO

ŁUBNA

Municipal Stadium Wroc∏aw

Czech Republic v Poland, June 16.

Municipal Stadium Poznaƒ Location: Poznaƒ ul. Bu∏garska 17 Capacity: 43,090 Profile: Originally opened in 1980, the Municipal Stadium in Poznaƒ was renovated and reopened in 2010, with British musician Sting playing the inaugural concert. It is currently home to both Lech Poznaƒ, which plays in the top division of Polish soccer, and Warta Poznaƒ, which plays in the league below.

On November 15, 2011, fewer than 8,000 people saw Poland take on Hungary in an international friendly at the Municipal Stadium, as fans boycotted the game due to the Polish Football Association’s (PZPN) decision to remove the eagle from the national team’s shirts. The emblem was later reinstated following popular protest.

Euro 2012 games to be played there: Republic of Ireland v Croatia, June 10; Italy v Croatia, June 14 and Italy v Republic of Ireland, June 18.

David Ingham

National Stadium in Warsaw

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

the home games of soccer team Lechia Gdaƒsk, the stadium was also the venue for Poland’s friendly match with Germany in September 2011, with the game ending in a 2-2 draw.

Euro 2012 games to be played there: Spain v Italy, June 10; Spain v Republic of Ireland, June 14; Croatia v Spain, June 18 and one quarter-final, June 22.

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The National Stadium in Warsaw became the last of the four Polish Euro 2012 match venues to be completed following the ceremonial handing over of the permit of use in December last year. This means that the four host cities – Gdaƒsk, Poznaƒ, Warsaw and Wroc∏aw – now all have state-of-the-art facilities capable of hosting soccer matches and other major events. WBJ profiles the four venues.

In addition to hosting five games during this summer’s tournament and the Polish soccer team’s future home international matches, the stadium’s operators also recently announced that British band Coldplay will perform there on September 19, 2012.

Euro 2012 games to be played there: Poland v Greece, June 8; Poland v Russia, June 12; Greece v Russia, June 16; one quarter-final, June 21 and one semi-final, June 28.

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

WBJ presents a brief guide to Poland’s Euro 2012 match venues

PGE Arena in Gdaƒsk

Municipal Stadium in Wroc∏aw

19

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GOAL! EURO 2012 FEATURE

www.wbj.pl

Tourism

Airports await fans

Poland hoping to replicate the ‘Barcelona effect’ Euro 2012 gives Poland a golden opportunity to boost its image among would-be tourists

Poland among the hundreds of millions who will watch it on TV and the hundreds of thousands who’ll come here and won’t judge us only on sport.”

Only one chance Poland is hoping Euro 2012 will do for it what the 1992 Summer Olympics did for Barcelona – put it firmly on the tourist map and ensure visitors keep coming long after the tournament’s final whistle.

“The greatest investment of Euro 2012 isn’t the wonderful stadiums, the great airport terminals, the roads and railway stations,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told reporters. “It’s investment in the brand and reputation of

JUNE 4-10, 2012

But for the country to cash in on a Polish version of the “Barcelona effect,” fans will need to leave the tournament with an enhanced impression of Poland. The country is still shaking off its image as a drab, post-communist backwater and its four host cities – Gdaƒsk, Poznaƒ, Wroc∏aw, and even Warsaw – are not exactly firstchoice destinations for wouldbe tourists mulling where to go for a weekend break.

Between 700,000 and 1.5

cities,” she added. Mainly as a result of Euro 2012’s promotional effects, visitor numbers to Poland are expected to rise to 13.6 million next year, compared to the current 10 million annual foreign tourists. Numbers are then forecast to rise by 500,000 a year up to 2020.

“We intend to attract tourists with traditional Polish hospitality. Poles will, undoubtedly, give evidence of it during the ... tournament. We believe that the campaign ‘Feel like at home’ will contribute to a warm welcome of tourists,” said Ms Kaczmarczyk.

“Recently modernized road, railway and air infrastructure will also be significant as regards the general impression of tourists,” she added.

million fans will arrive in Poland for the three-weeklong tournament, the Polish Tourist Organization (POT) estimates. They are expected to spend around z∏.844 million.

“We hope that good memories from [Euro 2012] in Poland will help to improve the international image of Poland, which was so far perceived by foreigners as a conservative country with traditional values,” said Karolina Kaczmarczyk, a spokesperson for Poland’s Ministry of Sport and Tourism.

“We are convinced that back in their home countries tourists will speak highly of us and that they will come back with their families and friends in the future – not only to the host

Poland’s airports are readying themselves for a huge surge in traffic during Euro 2012, with 100,000 extra passengers expected at Warsaw’s Chopin Airport alone.

“Due to the arrival of soccer fans we expect to see 10 percent year-on-year growth in passenger numbers this June,” said Przemys∏aw Przybylski, a spokesperson for the airport.

“We expect almost 750

charter planes with Euro 2012 fans.”

Although the airport has made no major investments for the tournament, a temporary terminal will be available to fans waiting to fly from the capital after the games have finished.

Airports in host cities spent a combined z∏.2.4 billion on investments to prepare their facilities for Euro 2012. ●

However, Janusz Mitulski, a partner at Horwath HTL, said high prices shouldn’t deter soccer fans from returning to the country, or at least to Warsaw. “Prices in Warsaw are not excessive for such a big tournament – they should be expected,” said Mr Mitulski.

Despite concerns over high prices, Polish Chamber of Tourism vice president Dariusz Wojtal said that the tournament is expected to boost Poland’s image, and allow it to

present itself as a modern, open and attractive destination for tourists.

In order to capitalize on the promotional benefits of Euro 2012, there will be a campaign carried out after the tournament called: “Come back. You haven’t seen anything yet!”

“We believe that the tournament would help us change the image of our country,” said Ms Kaczmarczyk of Poland's Tourism Ministry.

Hotel profits to soar

SHUTTERSTOCK

Rip-off Poland?

Traditional Polish hospitality awaits fans in Poznaƒ

Gareth Price

POT’s slogan is “Return to Us,” but worries nevertheless abound that transportation difficulties during the championship and soaring hotel and catering prices could potentially deter fans from visiting in the future.

A survey by CheapHotels.org found that on average, a room will cost visitors 500 percent more than usual, and that some establishments have hiked their rates by 1,000 percent or more.

During the tournament itself, Poland’s hoteliers are expected to cash in handsomely, with prices having rocketed due to soaring demand. Horwath HTL estimates that Polish hoteliers will see a 30-40 percent yearon-year rise in income in June, despite an expected drop-off in business and conference clients.

Katarzyna Gronek, a

spokesperson for hotel chain Orbis, said that the company had filled most of its rooms in the four host cities.

Although it didn’t invest specifically for the championship, Orbis hopes to bask in its afterglow.

“We hope that after Euro 2012 more guests come to Poland and our brand is more recognizable,” Ms Gronek said. ●

Technology

High-tech tournament As the long-awaited Euro 2012 championship approaches a lot of attention is being focused on the state of preparedness of Poland’s airports, roads and train stations. Yet many less visible but crucial high-tech preparations are also underway.

Stadiums buzz with new technology As centers of all the action, the stadiums in Poland’s four host cities (Gdaƒsk, Poznaƒ, Warsaw and Wroc∏aw) needed to be fitted with state-ofthe-art equipment to assure that every move is captured for the thousands of media operators set to descend on the country this June.

The job of ensuring stadiums were up to scratch in

technological terms was divided into two categories: servicing telecommunications operations and boosting mobile service capacity for fans during the events.

At Poznaƒ’s Municipal Stadium for example, Orange Polska was entrusted with the task of fitting the venue with infrastructure and connectivity to widely service the events.

This means providing communications with the outside world for Euro 2012 personnel, journalists and broadcasters and above all ensuring that each minute of every game can immediately be seen by viewers worldwide, said Irena Kosowska-Gilwatowska, venue manager at Orange Polska in charge of the Euro 2012 project.

Put into figures, this means around 360 km of cable and a 120-sqm warehouse full of equipment were installed on-site, she added.

Meanwhile, mobile operator Play is seeing to it that the 41,000 fans that will fill up the

stadium during a game can use their smartphones or tablets worry-free.

According to data provided by Play’s press office, 6 km of cable was installed, along with 115 splitters and taps and 137 antennas to achieve that goal. Similar networks were installed by T-Mobile at the PGE Arena in Gdaƒsk, Plus at the National Stadium in Warsaw and Orange in Wroc∏aw. Those will be shared among the competitors to benefit all mobile customers.

Beyond the stadiums Fans should not have major issues with mobile connectivity beyond the stadiums either.

While it is physically impossible to provide a 100 percent quality guarantee all the time, as noted Katarzyna Meller, spokesperson for Polkomtel, operator of the Plus network, the networks in place in host cities and around the country should have no problem supporting the additional traffic.

The claim is further confirmed by a quality check conducted by the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE) at the end of March along the Warsaw-Katowice-Wroc∏aw and Wroc∏aw-Poznaƒ-Warsaw railway routes, which rated the quality of voice communications as “good” or “very good.”

And that’s not all …

Improved communications at Euro 2012 events certainly take center stage from a technical point of view, but is by no means the only high-tech aspect. For fans who need to keep on top of things around the clock, Orange has launched a dedicated mobile application, allowing users to keep track of what’s going on during the tournament. This includes the possibility to watch all 31 games on their devices. Wroc∏aw has recently launched a mobile application of its own for the tournament providing tourists and residents the latest news and events in the city.

SHUTTERSTOCK

The latest technology is being utilized in Poland to ensure that this summer’s Euro 2012 championship runs smoothly

Poland’s stadiums will host thousands of media personnel during the tournament Finally, for those fans who feel more comfortable in a virtual space, video game maker EA Sports has released a Euro 2012 version

of its soccer game, which includes depictions of all the stadiums where the tournament is being held.

Mark Ordon

THE LIST

JUNE 4-10, 2012

www.wbj.pl

21

Business Guide

European Embassies Listed alphabetically by country name

Country

Address Tel./Fax E-mail Web page

Embassy

Ambassador

Country

www.bookoflists.pl

Embassy

Address Tel./Fax E-mail Web page

Ambassador

Albania

Embassy of the Republic of Albania

ul. Altowa 1, 02-386 Warsaw 22 824-1427/22 824-1426 ambasada@albania.waw.pl

Florent Çeliku

Lithuania

Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania

Austria

Embassy of the Republic of Austria

ul. Gagarina 34, 00-748 Warsaw 22 841-0081/22 841-0085 warschau-ob@bmeia.gv.at www.ambasadaaustrii.pl

Herbert Krauss

Luxembourg

ul. S∏oneczna 15, 00-789 Warsaw Embassy of 507-8650/22 507-8661 the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg 22 varsovie.amb@mae.etat.lu

Belarus

Embassy of the Republic of Belarus

ul. Wiertnicza 58, 02-952 Warsaw 22 742-0990/22 742-0980 poland@mfa.gov.by www.poland.belembassy.org

Viktar Gaisenak

Macedonia

Embassy of the Republic of Macedonia

Belgium

Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium

ul. Senatorska 34, 00-095 Warsaw 22 551-2800/22 551-2888 warsaw@diplobel.fed.be www.diplomatie.be/warsawpl/

Raoul Roger Delcorde

Malta

ul. WiÊniowa 40/4, 02-520 Warsaw Embassy of the Republic of Malta 22 646-4639/22 646-4685 maltaembassy.warsaw@gov.mt

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina

ul. Humaƒska 10, 00-789 Warsaw 22 856-9935/22 848-1521 sekretaria@ambasadabih.pl www.ambasadabih.pl

Koviljka Špiriç

Moldova

Embassy of the Republic of Moldova

ul. Imieliƒska 1, 02-710 Warsaw 22 646-2099/22 646-2099 embassy@moldova.pl www.polonia.mfa.md

Iurie Bodrug

Bulgaria

Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria

Al. Ujazdowskie 33/35, 00-540 Warsaw 22 629-4071/22 628-2271 embassy.warsaw@mga.bg

Danov Daniel Banov (1)

Montenegro

Embassy of Montenegro

Al. Ujazdowskie 41, 00-540 Warsaw 22 319-5670/22 319-5674 poland@mfa.gov.me

Ivan Lekoviç

Croatia

Embassy of the Republic of Croatia

ul. Ignacego Krasickiego 25, 02-611 Warsaw 22 844-2393/22 844-4808 croemb.warszawa@mvep.hr

Ivan Del Vechio

Netherlands

ul. Kawalerii 10, 00-468 Warsaw Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands 22 559-1200/22 840-2638 war@minbuza.nl

Czech Republic

Embassy of the Czech Republic

ul. Koszykowa 18, 00-555 Warsaw 22 525-1850/22 525-1898 warsaw@embassy.mzv.cz www.mfa.cz/warsaw

Jan Sechter

Norway

Royal Norwegian Embassy

ul. Chopina 2A, 00-559 Warsaw 22 696-4030/22 628-0938 emb.warsaw@mfa.no www.amb-norwegia.pl

Denmark

Royal Danish Embassy

ul. Marsza∏kowska 142, 00-061 Warsaw 22 565-2900/22 565-2970 wawamb@wawamb.um.dk www.ambwarszawa.um.dk

Thomas Østrup Møller

Portugal

Embassy of the Republic of Portugal

ul. Ateƒska 37, 03-978 Warsaw 22 511-1010/22 511-1013 embaixada@embport.internetdsl.pl

Estonia

Embassy of the Republic of Estonia

ul. Karwiƒska 1, 02-639 Warsaw 22 881-1810/22 881-1812 embassy@estemb.pl www.estemb.pl

Taavi Toom

Romania

Embassy of Romania

ul. Chopina 10, 00-559 Warsaw 22 628-3156/22 628-5264 office@roembassypl.org www.varsovia.mae.ro

Gheorghe Predescu

Finland

Embassy of the Republic of Finland

ul. Chopina 4/8, 00-559 Warsaw 22 598-9500/22 621-3442 sanomat.var@formin.fi www.finland.pl

Vesa Tapani Himanen

Russia

Embassy of the Russian Federation

ul. Belwederska 49, 00-761 Warsaw 22 621-3453/22 625-3016 rusemb_poland@mail.ru www.poland.mid.ru

Alexander Alekseev

France

Embassy of the French Republic

ul. Pi´kna 1, 00-477 Warsaw 22 529-3000/22 529-3001 presse@ambafrance-pl.org www.ambafrance-pl.org

Eric André Martin(2)

Serbia

Embassy of the Republic of Serbia

ul. Rolna 175A/B, 02-729 Warsaw 22 628-5161/22 629-7173 embassy.warsaw@mfa.rs

Radojko Bogojeviç

Germany

ul. Jazdów 12, 00-467 Warsaw Embassy of 22 584-1700/22 584-1979 the Federal Republic of Germany warszawa@wars.diplo.de www.warszawa.diplo.de

Rüdiger Freiherr von Fritsch

Slovakia

Embassy of the Slovak Republic

ul. Litewska 6, 00-581 Warsaw 22 525-8110/22 525-8122 emb.warsaw@mzv.sk www.ambasada-slowacji.pl

Greece

Embassy of the Hellenic Republic

ul. GórnoÊlàska 35, 00-432 Warsaw 22 622-9460/22 622-9464 gremb.war@mfa.gr www2.mfa.gr

Stavros Spyridakis

Slovenia

Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia

ul. StaroÊciƒska 1/23-24, 02-516 Warsaw 22 849-8282/22 848-4090 vvr@gov.si

Holy See

Apostolic Nunciature

Al. Jana Chrystian Szucha 12, 00-582 Warsaw 22 596-9320/22 596-9322 nuncjatura@episkopat.pl

Celestino Migliore(2)

Spain

Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain

ul. MyÊliwiecka 4, 00-459 Warsaw 22 622-4250/22 622-5408 emb.esppl@mail.mae.es www.spain.info

Hungary

Embassy of Hungary

ul. Chopina 2, 00-559 Warsaw 22 628-4451/22 621-8561 mission.vao@mfa.gov.hu

Róbert Kiss

Sweden

Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden

ul. Bagatela 3, 00-585 Warsaw 22 640-8900/22 640-8983 ambassaden.warszawa@foreign.ministry.se www.swedenabroad.com/warsaw

Ireland

Embassy of the Republic of Ireland

ul. Mysia 5, 00-496 Warsaw 22 849-6633/22 849-8431 warsawembassy@dfa.ie www.irlandia.pl

Eugene Hutchinson

Switzerland

Embassy of the Swiss Confederation

Al. Ujazdowskie 27, 00-540 Warsaw 22 628-0481/22 621-0548 var.vertretung@eda.admin.ch www.eda.admin.ch/warsaw

Italy

Embassy of the Italian Republic

Pl. Dàbrowskiego 6, 00-055 Warsaw 22 826-3471/22 827-8507 ambasciata.varsavia@esteri.it www.ambvarsavia.esteri.it

Riccardo Guariglia

Turkey

Embassy of the Republic of Turkey

ul. Malczewskiego 32, 02-622 Warsaw 22 646-4321/22 646-3757 turkemb.warsaw@mfa.gov.tr www.turcja.org.pl

Kazakhstan

Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan

ul. Królowej Marysieƒki 14, 02-954 Warsaw 22 642-5388/22 642-3427 kazdipmis@hot.pl www.kazakhstan.pl

UK

Embassy of ul. Kawalerii 12, 00-468 Warsaw the United Kingdom of 22 311-0000/22 311-0313 Great Britain and Northern Ireland info@britishembassy.pl

Latvia

ul. Królowej Aldony 19, 03-928 Warsaw Embassy of the Republic of Latvia 22 617-1105/22 617-1106 embassy.poland@mfa.gov.lv

Ukraine

Embassy of Ukraine

Footnotes: (1) Minister Plenipotentiary (2) Apostolic Nuncio (3) Chargé d’affaires a.i.

Margulan Baimukhan(3)

Einars Semanis

Al. Ujazdowskie 14, 00-478 Warsaw 22 625-3368/22 625-3440 amb.pl@urm.lt

ul. Królowej Marysieƒki 40, 02-954 Warsaw 22 651-7291/22 651-7292 ambrmwar@zigzag.pl www.ambasadarm.zigzag.pl

Al. Jana Chrystiana Szucha 7, 00-580 Warsaw 22 629-3446/22 629-8103 emb_pl@mfa.gov.ua www.ukraine-emb.pl

Loreta Zakarevičiene

Conrad Bruch

Fatmir Xheladini

Godwin Montanaro

Marcel Kurpershoek

Enok Nygaard

José Duarte Sequeira e Serpa

Vasil Grivna

Marjan Šetinc

Francisco Fernandéz Fábregas

Staffan Herrström

Lukas Beglinger

Resit Uman

Robin Barnett

Markiyan Malskyy

To the best of WBJ ’s knowledge, the information is accurate as of press time. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and thoroughness, omissions and typographical errors may occur. Corrections or additions to The List should be sent, on official letterhead, to Warsaw Business Journal, attn. Joanna Raszka, ul. Elblàska 15/17, 01-747 Warsaw, via fax to (+48) 22 639-8569, or via e-mail to wbjbol@wbj.pl. Copyright 2011, Valkea Media SA. The List may not be reprinted or reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission of the publisher. Reprints are available.

22

INTERVIEW

www.wbj.pl

JUNE 4-10, 2012

Global issues

Fukuyama on the crisis WBJ sits down with Francis Fukuyama, professor at Stanford University, one-time guru of the US neo-conservative movement and author of “The End of History and the Last Man,” to talk euro-zone troubles, lessons learned from the financial crisis, Francois Hollande, Barack Obama and Poland’s economy Francis Fukuyama believes the current economic problems of the euro zone are not the outcome of a simple north-south cultural divide, as some posit, but rather the result of the existence of clientelist and non-clientelist states in the EU. He defines “clientelist states” as those where “political parties use public resources, particularly government offices, as a means of rewarding their political supporters. They don’t provide programmatic public policies, but individual benefits like a job in the post office, an intervention on behalf of a relative in trouble with the government, or sometimes even an outright bribe.”

Mr Fukuyama thinks part of the reason why countries like Italy and Greece have had such a hard time controlling their budget deficits is because their public sectors are used as

a source of patronage, with the Greeks having taken the situation to the extreme.

Oversized public sector He said that in the 1970s, Greek public-sector unions succeeded in getting tenure for civil servants. According to Mr Fukuyama, this meant that “a political party which had won an election could not fire its rival party’s public-sector workers.”

“Instead, they simply expanded overall public employment so as to give their own people jobs. Hence the roots of the country’s present crisis in an oversized public sector, and a total failure by any of the existing parties to undertake the type of structural reforms demanded by Brussels and the IMF.” When asked why the same kind of patronage system isn’t found in countries such as Sweden, the Netherlands or

Germany, Mr Fukuyama said their “long-term paths of development” were different.

Regarding Germany, he said, “in the past, it was an absolutist state which needed a ruthlessly efficient government and bureaucracy in order for Frederick the Great to wage all his wars.”

This bureaucracy has survived in modern Germany and is the basis for a fairly efficient government, he added.

Italy and Greece, meanwhile, never had any incentive to create strong states but, de facto, practiced an “authentic democracy” and had political parties that exploited the system.

Mr Fukuyama said that while in Italy there are “some efforts” being made to clean up corruption, in Greece none of the political parties are willing to undertake the needed structural reforms. “[Former ruling party] PASOK was willing to raise taxes and cut spending but it wasn’t willing to touch publicsector employment regarding its own party members. Until there is a Greek party that will be willing to tackle this underlying problem there will always be overspending and overborrowing in Greece,” he said.

Obama the opposite of Clinton Mr Fukuyama said that barring an economic or military catastrophe, he’d still “bet on [US President] Obama to be re-elected,” pointing to the fact that his rival, Republican presidential candidate Mr Romney, has a “lot of negative characteristics.”

He seems, for example, to be “patently insincere,” said Mr Fukuyama, who added that Mr Romney had said some “very stupid things” in order to get the Republican nomination, things which will come back to haunt him in the general campaign.

“But Obama has problems too,” he added.

“We all saw him as this very charismatic figure during his campaign but as president he has not been able to generate that kind of charisma at all. It’s quite bizarre,” he said.

President Obama, he agreed, seems to fare better with a huge crowd of people than with small groups.

“He is quite the opposite of Bill Clinton, who is the most natural-born politician I have ever met in my life. He remembered the name of everyone he ever met. He loved being around people. If you were in his presence, you felt like you were the most important person in the world,” he said.

“Obama is so different, he’s cold. He does not like being with people. When Clinton went to a party he would be the last to leave.

Obama will stay for a while then say he’s sorry but he has to go tuck his daughters into bed.

“Also, when talking, Obama, even in private parties, he’s very policy-oriented, like a technocrat.”

Mr Fukuyama described Mr Obama’s foreign policy approach as “very pragmatic and realistic.”

We told him that some in Poland think the Obama administration sacrificed relations with Eastern Europe for a reset with Russia, which has yet to yield concrete results.

“The reset might not have gotten very much, but neither did the [George W.] Bush policy,” he replied. According to Mr Fukuyama, the Bush administration presented the Russians with a long list of demands on issues including human rights, missile defense and Iran.

“You guys have to do all this and for that we’ll give you nothing” was the message the Russians heard. So they said ‘to hell with you.’”

He added that such a policy “might have worked in Yeltsin’s time when Russia was weak, but now they have many cards to play.

The Obama administration’s approach is much more realistic.”

He said he does, however, “appreciate the sense of anxiety here,” but added that it does not have to do with Obama only.

“Republicans in general usually see the need to keep ties with old allies. Democrats tend to be less that way,” he said, adding that “in the end though I think the Polish-US relationship is still in pretty good shape. Also, by the way, I think the missile defense system the Bush administration proposed simply didn’t make any sense.” ●

COURTESY OF DAVID FUKUYAMA

Remi Adekoya

Mr Fukuyama thinks a “Grexit” is inevitable Spanish headache On Spain, which could be the next big headache for the euro zone, Mr Fukuyama said the country had a complex set of problems. He pointed out, however, that Spain had a budget surplus in 2007, before it got hit by the crisis and saw its property bubble burst.

He added that Spanish parties also compete with each other to give their supporters public-sector jobs.

But he stressed that one of the country’s major problems is its labor market system, which the country “inherited from [dictator Francisco] Franco’s era and which gives people from their mid-50s on highly-protected employment.

Basically they can’t be fired.”

That’s one of the reasons why there is almost 50 percent unemployment among Spanish youths today, he said.

“A few years ago the government liberalized the labor market, but they couldn’t liberalize it for older people who were too powerful a group politically, so they liberalized it only for younger workers.”

‘Grexit inevitable’ Going back to the subject of Greece, we asked Mr Fukuyama if he thinks a Greek exit from the euro zone is inevitable.

He confirmed that he does

indeed see things that way.

“The idea that everybody is going to start behaving like Germany is a fairy tale. We are already seeing a backlash to

“The idea that everybody is going to start behaving like Germany is a fairy tale” this premise with Francois Hollande’s election.”

He thinks it’s a “tragedy” that Greece hasn’t left the

euro zone already and that “there is no other scenario under which they could grow.”

“If they had exited six or nine months ago, the euro zone would have been much better off today. As it is there will be elections there soon and their eventual withdrawal could be messy with a lot of spillover,” he said.

We asked what, in Mr Fukuyama’s opinion, such a messy Grexit might do to the perception of Europe among American and other foreign investors.

“Honestly speaking, I don’t know,” he replied, adding that

Francis Fukuyama Francis Fukuyama came to popular attention with his 1992 book, “The End of History and the Last Man,” which argued that the concepts of Western-style liberal democracy and free market capitalism may mark the last stage of humanity’s sociocultural evolution and thus become the final form of human government. He has modified his position in recent years but remains an authoritative intellectual voice.

Today he teaches at Stanford University, where his

research interests include developing nations, governance, international political economy, nation-building and democratization, as well as strategic and security issues.

His most recent books are “The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution,” “America at the Crossroads: Democracy, Power, and the Neoconservative Legacy,” and “Falling Behind: Explaining the Development Gap between Latin America and the United States.” ●

INTERVIEW

JUNE 4-10, 2012

Poland and innovation On innovation, the discussion of which was the reason for his recent trip to Poland, Mr Fukuyama said that innovative societies have venture capital and other well-developed financial sources for innovation.

“But also, heavy investment in education is needed to create human capital.

Good relationships between universities and the private sector help to foster an innohe thinks “it will not be as bad as some people are predicting.

There is a lot of scare-talk going on to prevent Greece from exiting the euro zone.”

“Countries have left currency zones before and devalued their currencies.”

However, he conceded that such a scenario had never happened in such a globalized and integrated market as Europe’s.

“Europe’s set of problems today are unique,” he said.

“I don’t think the fate of the EU is tied to the euro,” he insisted, pointing to the rise of nationalist, right-wing parties in the Netherlands, Sweden and Finland as the “bigger danger” to the European project.

Eyes on Germany Asked how Francois Hollande’s election as president of France might change the geopolitical dynamic in Europe, Mr Fukuyama said, “Germany is obviously going to have to soften their stance on the Fiscal Union.”

He added that when Mr Hollande “realizes the consequences of backing away from the pact completely, he’ll also soften his stance.”

“Everything still depends on Germany, which is the only country with the power to approve euro bonds or fiscal transfers to countries in trouble.” He said he did not see Chancellor Angela Merkel looking elsewhere for political support in Europe, despite seemingly being at odds with Mr Hollande on several key

vative culture,” he said.

“Poland is one of the most successful economies in Europe right now, but what will the situation be in the next 20 years? Poland will no longer be able to offer cheap labor, so what are you going to use as new sources of growth and how will you increase your productivity levels? Those are the questions that must be tackled.” ● issues.

“The EU was created to solve the Franco-German rivalry. I don’t see any alternative to that.”

‘We should have nationalized the banks’ Moving on to the subject of the financial crisis, we asked Mr Fukuyama if he thought the world had learned any lessons from the fallout.

“Unfortunately, those lessons have not been translated into policy by either the Europeans or the Americans,” he replied, saying the issue was “not about free markets per se” but about the liberalization of the financial sector which is “very dangerous.”

“A large financial institution with problems can impose the kind of costs on the rest of the economy that no other private enterprise can. That’s why we have been witnessing taxpayer guarantees for these larger financial institutions,” said.

So, what should have been done?

“My personal opinion is that we should have used the crisis as an occasion to nationalize all those big banks, broken them up and sold them off in smaller bits,” Mr Fukuyama said.

He added that the US government could then have put a “hard cap” on the size of banks, “the way it used to be after the Great Depression.”

The only way markets can

operate freely is if the banks are not so big that they can bring down the whole system, Mr Fukuyama said.

“Then you don’t have to worry about guaranteeing them – or regulating them so strictly for that matter.”

He said, however, that “the moment has passed,” because “politicians do stuff like this when the memory of the crisis is still very fresh.”

He pointed to the recent case of JP Morgan Chase’s $2 billion trading loss after “they promised not to take such huge risks anymore.”

“All this also shows the political influence of these financial institutions. They have a lot of lobbyists who put pressure on legislators to look after their interests,” he concluded.

Too many rules Mr Fukuyama has spoken about the “economization of thinking,” meaning that those running the financial sector tend to view rules as mere obstacles to profit that need to be removed.

We asked him if that could ever change. He replied that it could, but that it was “all a question of balance,” pointing to the fact that in the 1960s and 1970s, there were “too many rules.”

These were introduced in the aftermath of the Great Depression, when an unregulated free market “created a lot of havoc so the pendulum swung towards greater regulation.”

Then in the 1980s, the pendulum swung in the opposite direction, towards much less regulation. “Right now after the crisis, we are swinging in the other direction again and I guarantee you we’ll soon have too many rules,” he said.

“Unfortunately, politically, we’ve never been able to get it right where you have rules that avoid the worst consequences of risk-taking for the economy but also allow the private sector enough room to take risks and decisions,” he added. ●

China and innovation in Poland WBJ asked Mr Fukuyama if, contrary to his stated belief that liberal democracies are superior, China wasn’t proving that its stateled authoritarian version of capitalism is more effective.

“I think the Chinese model was a big success in getting China to where it is today. But the true test of a model is its sustainability over a long period of time,” he replied, adding that in his opinion there are “lots of reasons why the Chinese model won’t work any longer.”

He pointed to the fact that China’s rapid development was based on the “mobilization of labor in a very poor country,” but that China’s labor was now more expensive than it used to be.

He said it was “not clear where innovation will come from.”

Also, the US will no longer be the huge

consumer of Chinese exports that it used to be, he said.

But he pointed to China’s political system as its “biggest liability,” saying it “lacks a basic kind of legitimacy.” He said recent corruption scandals at the highest levels had changed Chinese people’s perceptions of the government.

“They used to think that while their local leaders might be corrupt, those in Beijing were good. They don’t think that anymore,” he said.

“No country goes from middle-income status, where China is now, to high-income status so easily. A recent World Bank report laid out what China needs to do to make that leap, but it is still unclear whether there will be political support for that because there are entrenched interests which benefit hugely from the way things are now.” ●

www.wbj.pl

23

Skanska Property Group has announced a new office project in Wroc∏aw

Developer Ghelamco is planning its first retail investment in Poland

25

26

LOKALE IMMOBILIA

W a r s a w B u s i n e s s J o u r n a l ’s w e e k ly s u p p l e m e n t o n re a l e s t a t e , c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d d e v e l o p m e n t

Savills to manage Warsaw offices Commerz Real Investmentgesellschaft has appointed Savills as the manager of the Harmony Office Center and Tulipan House office facilities in Warsaw. The advisor will also act as the leasing agent for the latter building. The Harmony Office Center park was developed by Eko-Park and comprises three buildings with a total of more than 19,200 sqm of space. It is fully leased out as the Polish HQ office of Millennium Bank. Tulipan House is located on ul.

Domaniewska and comprises almost 18,600 sqm of space. ●

In this issue Euro 2012 construction . . . .24-25 Carpathia offices . . . . . . . . . . . .24 New Skanska scheme . . . . . . .25 Plac Unii certification . . . . . . . .25 Property-related stocks . . . . . .26 Ghelamco mall . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Hochtief apartments . . . . . . . . .26

Tournament gives Poland’s infrastructure a big boost The European Championship is expected to continue to positively impact the country’s property market in upcoming years Preparations by Poland ahead of the Euro 2012 soccer championship have had an enormous impact on the country’s sports, roads and railway infrastructure. Experts say that the long-term influence of the event could also see new investors drawn to the Polish property market.

Infrastructure improvements Poland’s Euro 2012 effort is arguably best evidenced by the improvements in the country’s stadium and transport infrastructure. Przemys∏aw Ruchlicki, an expert at the Polish Chamber of Commerce, sees the results as satisfying, even if not fully

in line with what the government originally promised.

Poland has now got four modern soccer arenas, in Warsaw, Poznaƒ, Wroc∏aw and Gdaƒsk, as well as a number of road and railway projects which were admittedly planned anyway, but whose construction was certainly greatly accelerated by the country’s organization of Euro 2012.

Three of the Euro 2012 stadiums were already delivered in 2010 and 2011, with just the National Stadium in Warsaw having seen its finishing touches earlier this year. Sub-contractor payment problems are an issue that still needs to be resolved.

Some of the stretches of the planned A1 and A4 motorways will not be ready on time, a fact that has got a lot of play in the Polish media. However, Mr Ruchlicki stressed that most of the roads projects are on schedule.

According to him, the value of sports, roads and railway Continued on p. 25 ➡

Railway investments included the modernization of Warsaw’s Warszawa Stadion stop

GD&K Group announces Carpathia office project in central Warsaw Kraków-based developer GD&K Group has announced a new office project that it is planning to build in downtown Warsaw. Called Carpathia, the scheme will be developed in the capital’s PowiÊle neighborhood and will comprise over 4,700 sqm of leasable space.

Construction on the Carpathia development is expected to launch soon, with the developer for now not revealing any concrete dates. GD&K Group has not yet selected a general contractor for its latest investment, which is being commercialized by CBRE and Fisheye Properties.

The architectural design of Carpathia calls for a building of six above-ground floors. “While designing

Carpathia, we were inspired by the architecture of PowiÊle of the 1950s and 1960s,” Szymon Duda, the main architect of the building, said in a statement.

A typical floor of the Carpathia project will feature 840 sqm of GLA, with the smallest leasable spaces available from 150 sqm. The facility will have a two-floor underground parking lot with room for a total of 40 cars.

GD&K Group has been present in the market for more than 15 years now.

The company has to date delivered projects totaling over 82,000 sqm, with schemes totaling almost 160,000 sqm in the pipeline. GD&K Group’s investments are located in Kraków and WarAdam Zdrodowski saw.

COURTESY OF BOIG

A consortium of Hydrobudowa Polska, PBG and Obrascon Huarte Lain has signed a z∏.206.5 million contract for the construction of a new soccer stadium in Bia∏ystok, Podlaskie voivodship. The facility is expected to be ready in 21 months. “Grupa PBG, and Hydrobudowa Polska in particular, has stadium construction experience that is unique in the Polish market,” Jerzy Ciechanowski, president of the management board of Hydrobudowa Polska, said in a statement. The facility, which was designed by the Kury∏owicz & Associates architectural studio, will have a capacity of 22,000.

Euro 2012 construction

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

New contractor for Bia∏ystok stadium

JUNE 4-10, 2012, LI 17/22

The scheme will deliver over 4,700 sqm of leasable space

LOKALE IMMOBILIA – REAL ESTATE

JUNE 4-10, 2012

Tournament gives Poland’s infrastructure a boost Continued from p. 24 ➡

investments amounted to around z∏.20 billion, z∏.65 billion and z∏.16 billion, respectively. The latter figure is especially significant as the host cities would likely not have got their railway stations modernized without Euro 2012, he said.

Growing hospitality Poland has also seen substantial development activity in the hotel sector, with approximately 1,300 branded rooms having been added in the country in the past 36 months, according to Alex Kloszewski, partner at the hospitality department of Colliers International in Poland.

These are in new facilities including Hilton Garden Inn and Ibis in Kraków, Hampton

by Hilton in ÂwinoujÊcie and Holiday Inn in Bydgoszcz.

However, Mr Kloszewski stressed that most of the hotels that opened in Poland in recent years were not connected with the soccer championship.

“Most of the hotels that have been opened in the past two years were not projects that were connected with Euro 2012. We consider this to be

good news. We never recommended investments in the hotel sector strictly due to the games,” he said.

In Mr Kloszewski’s opinion, the Polish hospitality sector should continue to do well after Euro 2012, with infrastructure improvements expected to be among the most important drivers for improved hotel revenues in the next three years.

“The roads, airports and rail system will definitely add around 1.5 percent to the Polish GDP. In our industry, when the economy grows, so does the occupancy in hotels. There will be a relatively significant amount of hotels coming into the market in the next 24 months,” Mr Kloszewski said.

Wooing investors Could the organization of Euro 2012 by Poland also have a significant lasting impact on the whole commercial real estate market in the country?

According to Konrad Heidinger from the research and consultancy department of CBRE’s Warsaw office, this is currently very difficult to assess.

However, Mr Heidinger pointed out that the event has

already greatly influenced the development of roads and public transport infrastructure in the host cities, which leads directly to the creation of new urban areas that may be considered as attractive for investors.

“Such areas can particularly be found around the newly completed stadiums which, in the case of cities including Gdaƒsk and Warsaw, have been built in locations until recently regarded as hardly attractive for commercial property investments,” Mr Heidinger said.

He added that the image of Poland abroad is another crucial issue that is related to Euro 2012. The intensive advertising campaign should attract the interest of investors and tourists alike, but how well the soccer championship is ultimately organized will be of even greater importance.

The organization of Euro 2012 by Poland may translate directly into the perception of the country by soccer fans who will certainly also include a number of officials responsible for making decisions regarding the investment of capital in the country, Mr Heidinger said.

Adam Zdrodowski

Developer Skanska Property Poland is now working on a new office project in Wroc∏aw that will be located near the city’s Pl. Dominikaƒski. Skanska and the Medusa Group architectural studio are preparing the scheme’s design which should be ready in approximately 12 months.

“Like all Skanska’s investments, the building will be created according to the principles of sustainable development and will be LEED-certified at one of the highest levels,” Marcin ¸apiƒski, regional director at Skanska Property Poland, said in a statement.

Skanska’s latest office investment in Wroc∏aw will be located in the area of the city’s ul. Piotra Skargi, ul. Kaz-

COURTESY OF QUESTIA

Skanska starts work on new Wroc∏aw offices

The project will provide 35,000 sqm of leasable space imierza Wielkiego and ul.

Wierzbowa and will have two under- and up to seven aboveground floors. It will provide 35,000 sqm of leasable space.

Skanska Property Poland’s

completed office investments in Wroc∏aw include Grunwaldzki Center and the first phase of the Green Towers complex.

Adam Zdrodowski

Plac Unii offices BREEAM-certified The office section of Liebrecht & Wood’s and BBI Investment’s under-construction Plac Unii mixed-use investment in Warsaw has obtained a “Very Good” BREEAM certificate of energy efficiency and environmental performance.

Designed by the Kury∏owicz

& Associates architectural studio and scheduled to be completed next year, the scheme will comprise three buildings, including two six-storey office structures and a 90-meter mixed-use tower.

The development will offer 15,500 sqm of retail space, 60

percent of which has already been leased out. It will also boast 41,300 sqm of class-A office space anchored by Grupa ING, which will occupy 11 out of the total of 21 office floors available in the investment.

Adam Zdrodowski

www.wbj.pl

25

26

LOKALE IMMOBILIA – REAL ESTATE

www.wbj.pl

Developer Ghelamco Poland, which to date has been mostly known for the development of office projects in Warsaw and other major Polish cities, is now working on its first retail investment in the Polish market.

The company has applied for a planning decision for a site in ¸omianki near Warsaw that currently houses industrial facilities. Ghelamco plans to build a local retail and service center with 10,000 sqm to 12,000 sqm of space on the land.

The planned development has been designed by Pawe∏ Graliƒski of the Arch Magic architectural studio. The archi-

COURTESY OF PARTNER OF PROMOTION

Ghelamco working on first retail project in Poland

The retail center will provide 10,000-12,000 sqm of space tectural concept of the investment calls for a low-rise building with a maximum of two above-ground floors.

Ghelamco Poland has deliv-

ered a total of more than 390,000 sqm of office and warehouse space over the last 21 years.

Adam Zdrodowski

Hochtief unveils second residential project in Warsaw Construction company Hochtief Polska has announced its second residential development project in Warsaw. The firm will develop a multifamily housing scheme, called JK 51, in the capital’s Wola district. Its two phases will deliver a total of approximately 280 apartments.

The JK 51 project is the second investment that Hochtief Polska will carry out in the so-

called formart formula, meaning the company will take care of the whole development process. The first such project is the Villa Poema scheme that Hochtief is now building in Warsaw’s ˚oliborz district.

Located on Warsaw’s ul.

Jana Kazimierza, the JK 51 scheme will comprise two buildings, the first of which will range in height from six to nine

storeys and will provide 165 housing units, as well as a number of commercial areas.

Construction on the first stage of JK 51 is scheduled to launch in March next year and finish in the second half of 2014.

Pre-sales of apartments in the first building, which will offer 27,400 sqm of usable space, have already begun.

JUNE 4-10, 2012

Property-related stocks Security

Closing price on May 31

% change (week)

52-week low

52-week high

% change (year)

Total shares

Market value (z∏. mln)

BUDIMEX

69.70

5.21

63.90

92.00

-31.19

25,530,098

1,779.45

CELTIC

12.95

1.49

12.76

22.70

-35.89

34,068,252

441.18

DOMDEV

29.80

-3.56

23.50

50.80

-37.66

24,670,397

735.18

ECHO

3.75

1.63

3.05

5.45

-29.78

420,000,000

1,575.00

ELBUDOWA

98.00

-2.00

87.00

165.00

-37.30

4,747,608

465.27

ENERGOPLD

1.64

-3.53

1.64

3.99

-58.90

70,972,001

116.39

ERBUD

14.91

-4.42

14.15

30.50

-41.53

12,644,169

188.52

GANT

7.28

0.41

5.85

12.95

-38.82

20,499,953

149.24

GTC

5.78

-4.78

5.78

19.48

-71.09

219,372,990

1,267.98

HBPOLSKA

0.40

-2.44

0.39

2.35

-82.53

210,558,445

84.22

JWCONSTR

4.35

-12.12

4.35

15.39

-71.38

54,073,280

235.22

LCCORP

1.37

3.01

0.85

1.50

-12.18

447,558,311

613.15

MARVIPOL

8.12

-2.17

6.20

9.95

-2.52

36,923,400

299.82

MIRBUD

1.24

10.71

0.99

4.00

-69.53

75,000,000

93.00

MOSTALWAR

13.85

4.92

11.30

34.41

-58.68

20,000,000

277.00

MOSTALZAB

1.08

-0.92

1.06

2.88

-62.63

149,130,538

161.06

ORCOGROUP

12.05

17.56

9.68

35.30

-65.57

35,415,406

426.76

PBG

18.43

-13.03

18.43

154.80

-86.55

14,295,000

263.46

PLAZACNTR

2.29

-4.58

1.80

4.57

-49.67

297,174,515

680.53

POLAQUA

5.76

12.28

4.53

18.80

-66.12

27,500,100

158.40

POLIMEXMS

1.19

6.25

0.78

3.53

-61.49

521,154,076

620.17

POLNORD

12.16

1.76

11.03

28.30

-57.33

23,798,439

289.39

RANKPROGR

8.97

-9.39

8.60

16.97

-30.47

37,145,050

333.19

ROBYG

1.30

-3.70

1.04

2.05

-34.01

257,935,500

335.32

RONSON

0.91

-4.21

0.77

1.45

-37.24

272,360,000

247.85

TRAKCJA

1.00

-7.41

0.65

3.13

-68.94

232,105,480

232.11

ULMA

43.50

0.00

39.00

83.70

-47.90

5,255,632

228.62

UNIBEP

5.00

0.00

4.47

7.00

-28.26

34,021,684

170.11

WARIMPEX

3.88

0.00

2.95

9.00

-58.72

54,000,000

209.52

ZUE

7.08

-0.28

5.07

11.30

-37.84

22,000,000

155.76

Adam Zdrodowski

Expert’s Opinion

The meanderings of public procurement law Pawe∏ Kuglarz Partner, BEITEN BURKHARDT, P. Daszkowski Sp.k.

Preparations for Euro 2012 investments in infrastructure, and in roads in particular, have highlighted the importance of public procurement law. Many experts believe that the uncompleted sections of road projects are the results of errors in law and defective implementation.

Therefore, it is important to inspect the main principles and latest revisions of this act. Entities in the public finance sector are subject to the public procurement system, but they are not alone. The essence of the public procurement system is the superiority of the customer in relation to the tenderer.

1. What appears to be cheap is often expensive One of the main problems has been the large influence prices have played as the main criteria in determining contract awards. Companies often won contracts because they offered the lowest price for a project; however, these projects were often never completed because continuous delays raised the price higher than the company had allocated. Companies’ competencies should

have be assessed based on experience on past projects prior to distributing contracts.

The amendment of the “sources of protective law” section IV of the Public Procurement Law in 2011 limited the appeal abilities of bidders. An appeal may only be submitted in the event of an activity undertaken in breach of a contract or lack of action by the purchaser which was required by law. An appeal may also be submitted to decide the form of negotiations, type of order, or as a price inquiry. It does not apply to actions or omissions by the customer carried outside the procedure for public procurement.

In addition, the appeal must relate to the provisions of Public Procurement Law (PZP). In case of an annulment concerning the form the order is awarded in, an appeal is possible in proceedings for awards of lower or higher value than the so called “EU thresholds” without additional conditions. But in other cases, i.e., an appeal against irregular actions violating the provisions of the act or omission for beneficiaries to lodge an appeal in the proceedings, the value of which equals

or exceeds the so-called “EU thresholds” may be submitted without additional conditions. In the proceedings of contracts of lesser value than the “EU thresholds,” the right to legal protection is restricted in the ordering of these activities, which threaten the interests of the contractor.

2. Restrictions on contract changes after the public contract has been awarded In compliance with article 144 of paragraph 2 of PZP, as amended on December 2, 2009, the change made in contradiction to article 144 will not be void under the law. The legal effect specified in paragraph 2 indicates that the changes made to the contract take the form of possible revocation. Cancellation of the contract, however, touches only the changes, not the entire agreement on public procurement, as stipulated in article 144. It is important to consider the possibility of introducing measures to change some of the terms of the contract after it has been signed, based on different factors which could not have

been taken into consideration prior to finalizing the agreement, including the possibility of granting a preliminary contract had the existence of these circumstances been known beforehand.

3. The exclusion of the contractor As of late, one of the most controversial changes was made to article 24 of paragraph 1 of point 1A of PZP, which allows officials to automatically eliminate bid participants with whom contracts had previously been dissolved. In May 2011, a law came into effect in which bidders who had failed to comply with the terms of a contract (leading to the contract’s termination) were excluded from participating in future contract bids, provided that the value of the unrealized project was at least 5 percent of the contract’s value. The remaining conditions for exclusion from the bidding process remained unchanged.

This amendment has been referred to as Lex Alpinae, as it was introduced after the successful re-tender by the company Alpine after the dissolution of its contract, and served to make sure that a

BROUGHT TO YOU BY GIDE LOYRETTE NOUEL

similar situation would be prevented in the future. In the opinion of entrepreneurs, the current form of the provision is a serious concern, since the elimination of the supplier in the proceedings would take place without judicial review, and would be based on only one official.

It was in connection with this provision that the National Board of Appeal submitted the question to the EU Court of Justice for the first time in history. The tribunal was supposed to assess if the provision did not violate EU law, especially the Directive 2004/18/WE, which discusses the exclusion of contractors “guilty of severe professional misconduct.” The EU tribunal will decide whether the current mechanism will not result in an automatic exclusion of potential contractors and disproportional sanctions for contractual misconduct. It is already known that the EU Commission has expressed an unfavorable opinion regarding this provision. It is hoped that this will stop the legislature from lowering the level of legislation on public procurement further by extending the possibility of exclusion without a court decision. ●

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www.valkea-attention.com *Attention USA clients

28

MARKETS

www.wbj.pl

JUNE 4-10, 2012

Stocks report

world stock indices DJIA

NASDAQ

12,393.45 (May 31 close)

S&P500

2,827.34 (May 31 close)

-1.09% (for the week)

FTSE100

1,310.33 (May 31 close)

-0.42% (for the week)

DAX

5,320.90 (May 31 close)

-0.78% (for the week)

-0.54% (for the week)

China, US stir worries

NIKKEI225 6,264.38 (May 31 close)

8,542.73 (May 31 close)

-0.82% (for the week)

-0.24% (for the week)

CHANGE: -0.03%

CHANGE: 6.74%

CHANGE: 2.61%

CHANGE: -6.65%

CHANGE: 3.11%

CHANGE: 0.20%

(year to May 31)

(year to May 31)

(year to May 31)

(year to May 31)

(year to May 31)

(year to May 31)

52-week high: 13,359.60

52-week high: 3,134.17

52-week high: 1,422.38

52-week high: 6,084.10

52-week high: 7,523.53

52-week high: 10,255.20

52-week low: 10,362.30

52-week low: 2,298.89

52-week low: 1,074.77

52-week low: 4,791.00

52-week low: 4,965.80

52-week low: 8,135.79

Last Monday started positively for investors, with polls showing that New Democracy, a party which supports the austerity program in Greece, could win the June 17 elections there.

Markets rose in France and Germany. However, worries about Spain grew when its bond yields crept up to 6.5 percent, the highest level since November 2011.

Poland’s blue-chip WIG20 still ended the day on a positive note though, rising 0.9 percent, while the overall WIG rose 0.86 percent.

Tuesday was a good day for Poland’s blue-chip firms.

Only two of those listed on the WIG20, TVN and Telekomunikacja Polska, ended the day in the red.

Polish copper miner KGHM had the best performance on Wednesday, ending the day up 2.12 percent. Investors focused on suggestions by several European politicians that there might be more financial sup-

Major indices WIG

37,793.58 (May 31 close)

WIG20

2,096.35 (May 31 close)

31.05

30.05

29.05

28.05

25.05

24.05

23.05

22.05

21.05

18.05

17.05

16.05

15.05

31.05

30.05

29.05

28.05

25.05

24.05

23.05

22.05

21.05

18.05

17.05

16.05

2,000

15.05

2,060

36,000

14.05

2,120

36,800

11.05

37,600

10.05

2,180

09.05

38,400

08.05

2,240

07.05

2,300

39,200

04.05

40,000

14.05

52-week low: 2,035.80

11.05

Change year to May 31: -4.46%

10.05

52-week low: 36,549.47

09.05

52-week high: 2,903.61

Change year to May 31: -1.37%

08.05

Change for the week: 2.97%

07.05

52-week high: 50,025.61

04.05

Change for the week: 2.55%

Top 5 IFCAPITAL DREWEX EDINVEST RESBUD MISPOL

Closing 5.63 0.68 5.88 18.65 1.32

% change (week) 52-week high 77.04 14.97 36.00 1.25 25.11 5.95 23.51 70.00 21.10 6.55

52-week low 0.45 0.16 2.32 2.88 1.09

Top 5 KGHM PEKAO ASSECOPOL PGE POLIMEXMS

Closing 128.00 141.00 48.90 18.50 1.19

% change (week) 8.57 7.72 7.00 6.26 6.25

52-week high 199.60 173.90 55.45 25.07 3.55

52-week low 102.40 115.10 34.50 15.98 0.77

Bottom 5 PLASTBOX B3SYSTEM ALTERCO MOBRUK ONE2ONE

Closing 2.30 0.72 11.70 74.55 0.68

% change (week) -78.66 -29.41 -26.88 -24.70 -24.44

52-week low 2.08 0.66 9.75 74.00 0.49

Bottom 5 PBG GTC LOTOS TVN PKNORLEN

Closing 18.43 5.78 23.30 8.00 33.25

% change (week) -13.03 -4.78 -4.74 -4.31 -1.77

52-week high 156.00 20.10 47.80 17.45 54.35

52-week low 18.43 5.42 21.30 7.70 30.33

52-week high 14.66 1.99 47.98 139.08 5.28

sWIG80

Turnaround unlikely

9,285.74 (May 31 close)

WIG-Banki

5,421.52(May 31 close)

31.05

30.05

29.05

28.05

25.05

24.05

23.05

22.05

21.05

18.05

17.05

16.05

15.05

31.05

30.05

29.05

28.05

25.05

24.05

23.05

22.05

21.05

18.05

5,100

17.05

37

16.05

5,240

15.05

38

14.05

5,380

11.05

39

10.05

5,520

09.05

40

08.05

5,660

07.05

41

04.05

5,800

14.05

52-week low: 4,944.19

11.05

Change year to May 31: -2.20%

10.05

52-week low: 37.58

09.05

52-week high: 7,112.78

Change year to May 31: -9.42%

08.05

Change for the week: 4.63%

07.05

52-week high: 57.46

04.05

Change for the week: -1.34%

42

Adam Narczewski X-Trade Brokers DM SA

31.05

30.05

29.05

28.05

25.05

24.05

23.05

22.05

21.05

18.05

17.05

52-week low: 8,604.31

16.05

14.05

11.05

31.05

30.05

29.05

28.05

25.05

37.58 (May 31 close)

52-week high: 12,779.22

SOURCE: WSE

NewConnect

24.05

23.05

22.05

21.05

9,000

18.05

2,200

17.05

9,200

16.05

2,260

15.05

9,400

14.05

2,320

11.05

9,600

10.05

2,380

09.05

9,800

08.05

2,440

07.05

10,000

04.05

2,500

10.05

Change year to May 31: 7.92%

09.05

52-week low: 2,076.52

08.05

Change year to May 31: 2.51%

07.05

Change for the week: 2.39%

04.05

52-week high: 2,959.86

15.05

2,245.21 (May 31 close)

Change for the week: -0.31%

Remi Adekoya

Currency report

Other indices mWIG40

port for banks available from the European Stability Mechanism. The WIG20, however, ended the day 0.89 percent lower.

On Thursday, bulls were helped by the news of a drop in unemployment in Germany. Also, the head of the European Central Bank said it would be necessary to make financing available for European banks. However, poor data from the US spoiled moods. Despite that, the WIG20 held on, ending the day 1.17 percent up while the WIG grew 1.19 percent.

On Friday, investors were shaken by bad news from China, Europe and the US. The Chinese economy showed further signs of weakening and there’s no hint of an improvement in Europe. Also, there was poor US unemployment data. The WIG20 finally ended the day 1.18 percent down while the WIG fell 1.27 percent.

A lack of positive impulses and increasing risk aversion have both hurt the z∏oty recently, with no sign of a turnaround in sight.

The uncertainty surrounding the “Grexit” along with the troubles Spain is running into put significant pressure on emerging market currencies and the euro.

Macro news is not optimistic either, with US non-farm payroll reports showing a third decline in a row, along with a higher unemployment rate of 8.2 percent.

The euro keeps tumbling, pulling the EUR/USD south to a two-year low of $1.23, while a week ago it was being quoted at $1.26. The recovery of the euro depends on the outcome of the Greek elections and how Spain will deal with its problems because, right now the coun-

try has became another contestant in the “exiting the euro-zone” game.

Turbulence on the market is hurting the z∏oty, which continues its depreciation.

News from the local economy has provided no respite – GDP in Q1 grew by 3.5 percent, about what was forecast – but the markets ignore this kind of information, instead choosing to look at the bigger picture.

Last Friday the USD/PLN hit z∏.3.60, its highest level since March of 2009. The EUR/PLN and the CHF/PLN also reached six-month highs at z∏.4.42 and z∏.3.68, respectively.

At this moment there are no signs the depreciation trend will change unless clear statements are made and solutions to the current mess are provided. ●

4.5731 01.06

SOURCE: NBP

4.4833

4.3607 29.05

31.05

4.3512 28.05

30.05

4.3460 25.05

0.1073

0.1057 01.06

4.0

4.4300

PLN-100JPY

4.6

31.05

0.1079 30.05

0.1078 29.05

28.05

25.05

0.10

0.1083

PLN-RUB

0.11

0.1087

3.6743 01.06

31.05

3.6411 30.05

3.6203 29.05

3.6126 28.05

3.6206 25.05

5.4686 01.06

31.05

30.05

29.05

3.6

28.05

PLN-CHF

3.7

5.4858

5.4419

5.4170

5.4178 5.20

25.05

3.5777 01.06

3.5372

5.45

5.4701

PLN-GBP

5.70

31.05

30.05

3.4675 29.05

3.4535 28.05

3.4589 3.2

25.05

4.4126 01.06

4.3889

3.5

3.5139

PLN-USD

3.8

31.05

4.3731 30.05

4.3510

4.3511 29.05

28.05

4.20

25.05

4.35

4.3442

PLN-EUR

4.50

3.6545

currency rates

FINANCE & ECONOMICS

JUNE 4-10, 2012

www.wbj.pl

29

Euro-zone crisis

The head of the National Bank of Poland said Spain has “guaranteed” financial assistance from the international community Spain is certain to receive necessary financial assistance if it needs it to recapitalize its ailing banks, Marek Belka, president of the National Bank of Poland, said in a speech last week during a trip to Peru.

This aid will be provided by the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) and the International Monetary Fund, and will form a “firewall” around the country at a time when worries are growing that a Spanish bailout may lead to crisis contagion throughout the euro zone and EU, said Mr Belka, himself a former

European director at the IMF. “Obviously there exists this so-called firewall both in the EFSF and the IMF that should be a guarantee that Spain can count on financial assistance, on bridge financing from abroad,” Reuters quoted Mr Belka as saying at a conference in Lima.

But he stopped short of saying whether Spain would actually require such assistance.

“Spain is struggling with the typical weaknesses of southern rim euro-zone countries but the extent of those problems is much less than those of Greece,

and even of other countries there,” he added.

BFA, the parent company of Spain’s fourth-largest bank, Bankia, recently asked the Spanish government for €19 billion in aid.

Last week, Spanish 10-year bond yields neared 7 percent, a level that economists say is unsustainable and can force a country to seek an international bailout.

Poland is ‘cruising,’ z∏oty a ‘shock absorber’ In other statements made in Peru last week, Mr Belka was sanguine about the state of the Polish economy and about the fear that it was at risk of contagion from the

In coming quarters we expect further deceleration of economic growth in Poland – to below 2.5 percent in H2 and 2.7 percent on average in 2012,” they added.

Analysts from Nordea also saw the data in a negative light, calling it “the start of the long way down” for the Polish econ-

omy.

While private consumption growth was broadly in line with expectations at 2.1 percent y/y, fixed investments growth bitterly disappointed, slowing down to 6.7 percent y/y against expected stabilization at around 10 percent y/y.

Source: Central Statistical Office

5

2 1

09 20 10 Q2 20 10 Q3 20 10 Q4 20 10 Q1 20 11 Q2 20 11 Q3 20 11 Q4 20 11 Q1 20 12

20 Q4

Q1

09

09 20

Q3

20

20 Q1

Q2

09

%

decreased by 0.26 points to 0.77. According to the European Commission, “The decline was driven by a more negative assessment of all components (i.e. past production, production expectations, overall order books, export

Warsaw Stock Exchange launches regional index

Polish economic growth, y/y, Q1 2009-Q1 2012 (%)

3

In May, the European Commission’s economic sentiment and business climate indicators for the euro zone dropped, as worry about the currency bloc’s future continues.

The Business Climate Indicator (BCI) for the euro area

AK

Start of the long way down?

4

The Polish economy is “cruising,” according to Mr Belka

Ugly euro-zone econ sentiment numbers

GDP data confirms Polish economy is slowing down Poland’s economy grew 3.5 percent in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period a year earlier, Poland’s Central Statistical Office revealed last Thursday. The figure was in line with expectations, and showed that Poland’s economy is slowing down, after y/y growth of 4.3 percent in Q4. In Q1 2011, Poland’s economy grew by 4.4 percent.

“Data confirmed a strengthening of the negative impact of the economic downturn in the euro zone on Poland, both direct (weaker exports) and indirect (slower consumption and lower growth of investments),” wrote analysts from BZ WBK. “The data also confirmed that monetary policy tightening is neither required nor justified.

euro-zone crisis.

Mr Belka said Poland’s economic growth was “cruising” along at about 4 percent per year. Most analysts expect Poland’s GDP growth to come in somewhere between 2.5 percent and 3 percent this year.

He also said the risk of European crisis contagion to Poland, which is the only European Union member to have avoided recession since the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008, is less than other countries in the region.

The former Polish finance minister said the z∏oty has provided Poland with a “shock absorber” that countries bound in the euro zone do not AK have.

COURTESY OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND

Belka: Spain can count on international ‘firewall’

Last Wednesday the Warsaw Stock Exchange launched a regional Central and Eastern European index, the WIGCEE, which gives a snapshot of how companies from around the region are performing. The index is the WSE’s third to be compiled

based on country of origin, after the WIG-Poland and WIG-Ukraine indices.

A firm from a given country may be placed on the index provided that at least two companies from that country are listed on the WSE and that those two companies are clas-

order books and stocks of finished products).”

Adding to the bad news, the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) decreased sharply in May, falling by 2.3 points in the euro area, to 90.6. The EC said the decline was driven by “falling confidence in all business sectors, especially in industry and retail trade.”

The ESI also dropped in the EU as a whole, by 2.7 AK points to 90.5.

25

is the number of companies on the WSE's new WIG-CEE index. sified in different sectors by the WSE. The index may include companies from the following countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, AK and Ukraine.

LIFESTYLE

www.wbj.pl

JUNE 4-10, 2012

Festival

Exhibition

Star-studded lineup

Art world Art Everywhere: The Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw 1904-1944 June 5-August 26 Zach´ta National Gallery of Art Pl. Ma∏achowskiego 3 Warsaw

De La Soul

aesthetics and a vibrant art scene in the capital.

The slogan “Art Everywhere” alludes to the fact that art is part of daily life, and can be found in everyday objects, and in public as well as in private spaces.

The Polish Pavilion from the 1925 International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts in Paris has been reconstructed for the exhibit, as well as fragmented interiors from Polish Transatlantic ships. Selected historic brochures, fliers and posters

Orange Warsaw Festival June 9-10 Pepsi Arena (Legia Warszawa stadium) ul. ¸azienkowska 3 Warsaw Returning to the capital for the fifth year in a row, the Orange Warsaw Festival is now one of the largest music events in Poland. What began as a city initiative to bolster

Warsaw’s bid for the 2016 European Capital of Culture has now evolved into a popular concert series featuring some of the world’s most prominent musical acts.

This year sees arguably the strongest lineup in the festival’s history with legendary Long Island-based hip hop trio De La Soul and American nu-metal band Linkin Park headlining Saturday’s show.

R&B songstress and former Fugees singer Lauryn Hill will perform on Sunday, as well as renowned British electronic group The Prodigy, and dance duo Groove Armada. Tickets for the festival are priced from z∏.89.

Natalia Kopytnik

For more information, log on to orangewarsawfestival.pl

Antoni Wajwód’s Bal ASP, 1933 further bolster the exhibit’s theme, serving to showcase our constant exposure to art in our daily lives.

Natalia Kopytnik

Ballet

Fairy-tale ending Prokofiev’s Cinderella June 6-10 Teatr Wielki, Plac Teatralny 1 Warsaw Sergei Prokofiev’s ballet, which first premiered at the renowned Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow in 1945, is based on Charles Perrault’s classic story Cendrillion.

The story is based around poor, sweet Cinderella, who is leading a miserable life with her two vain and evil stepsisters.

Her life changes when, with the help of her fairy godmother, she attends a ball thrown by the prince. At the ball, Cinderella and the prince fall in love, but she rushes off at midnight, leaving one of her glass slippers

COURTESY OF TEATRWIELKI.PL

COURTESY OF FACEBOOK/DE LA SOUL

This new exhibition, organized in cooperation with Warsaw’s National Museum and the Academy of Fine Arts, documents art in everyday life during the Second Polish Republic. It traces the history of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, its teaching style and influence on developing Polish

COURTESY OF ZACHETA.PL

30

behind, which the prince then uses to find her again.

For four nights, the Polish National Ballet and the Polish National Opera will perform this classic story for Polish audiences.

The satirical libretto and

stunning choreography of the late Sir Frederick Ashton will amaze adult audiences, while younger viewers will be fascinated with the sparkling costumes, set design, and Cinderella’s magical adventures.

Natalia Kopytnik

Museums, galleries and venues in Warsaw Centre for Contemporary Art at Ujazdowski Castle ul. Jazdów 2 www.csw.art.pl Czarna Gallery ul. Marsza∏kowska 4 www.czarnagaleria.art.pl Galeria 022, DAP, Lufcik ul. Mazowiecka 11a www.owzpap.pl Galeria 65 ul. Bema 65 www.galeria65.com Galeria Appendix 2 ul. Bia∏ostocka 9 www.appendix2.com Galeria Asymetria ul. Nowogrodzka 18a www.asymetria.eu Galeria Foksal ul. Foksal 1-4 www.galeriafoksal.pl Galeria Milano Rondo Waszyngtona 2A (Praga) www.milano.arts.pl Galeria Schody ul. Nowy Âwiat 39 www.galeriaschody.pl

Green Gallery ul. Krzywe Ko∏o 2/4 www.greengallery.pl

Simonis Gallery ul. Burakowska 9 www.simonisgallery.com

Katarzyna Napiórkowska Art Gallery ul. Âwi´tokrzyska 32, ul.

Krakowskie PrzedmieÊcie 42/44 and Old Town Square 19/21 www.napiorkowska.pl

State Archaeological Museum in Warsaw ul. D∏uga 52 (Arsena∏) www.pma.pl

Królikarnia National Gallery ul. Pu∏awska 113a www.krolikarnia.mnw.art.pl Le Guern Gallery ul. Widok 8, www.leguern.pl Museum of Independence Aleja SolidarnoÊci 62 www.muzeumniepodleglosci.art.pl National Museum in Warsaw Al. Jerozolimskie 3 www.mnw.art.pl Polish National Opera at Teatr Wielki Pl. Teatralny 1 www.teatrwielki.pl Pracownia Galeria ul. Emilii Plater 14 www.pracowniagaleria.pl

State Ethnographic Museum ul. Kredytowa 1 www.ethnomuseum.website.pl Historical Museum of Warsaw Old Town Square 28-42 www.mhw.pl History Meeting House of Warsaw ul. Karowa 20 www.dsh.waw.pl Warsaw Philharmonic ul. Jasna 5 www.filharmonia.pl Warsaw Rising Museum ul. Grzybowska 79 www.1944.pl

Galeria XX1 Al. Jana Paw∏a II 36 www.galeriaxx1.pl

Rempex Art and Auction House ul. Karowa 31 www.rempex.com.pl

Wilanów Palace Museum and Wilanów Poster Museum ul. St Kostki Potockiego 10/16 www.milanow-palac.pl www.postermuseum.pl

Galeria Zoya ul. Kopernika 32 m.8 www.zoya.art.pl

Royal Castle Pl. Zamkowy 4 www.zamek-krolewski.com.pl

Zachęta National Art Gallery Pl. Ma∏achowskiego 3 www.zacheta.art.pl

LAST WORD

JUNE 4-10, 2012

www.wbj.pl

31

Tech Eye

ZBoard

The Pet’s Eye View isn’t hi-tech. The resolution of its photos is just 640 x 480 and the internal memory only holds 40 shots. But it’s simple to use. Just clip the camera to your pet’s collar, set it to take photos at one-, five- or 15-minute intervals, and later reap a blurry harvest of chased cats, rumpled trouser legs and half-dug holes.

That’s if you own a dog, of course. Cat owners can expect creepy images of themselves being stalked from strange angles.

OK … Techeye promised family-friendly products to please traditionalists. But we couldn’t resist including at least one item for families that like to cook with non-traditional ingredients.

Hence we present Hoxton Street Monster Supplies’ range of Salts Made From Tears (Monstersupplies.org). These are ostensibly made from “the freshest human tears,” which are harvested by hand, boiled, released into crystallization tanks and rinsed in brine.

The £30 set includes: • Salt Made From Tears of Anger • Salt Made From Tears Shed While Chopping Onions • Salt Made From Tears Shed While Sneezing • Salt Made From Tears of Laughter • Salt Made From Tears of Sorrow Does that sound like a sad reflection of the degradation plaguing the modern world? Well, it’s not. Sadly for the sadistic foodies out there,

Salts Made From Tears

The Pet’s Eye View these products are actually made with wholesome sea salt.

We won’t argue that the world is a better place because you can buy seasonings made from pretend tears. It’s certainly a tastier place, though, and that has to be worth something.

Anyone claiming otherwise should be taken with a grain of salt. ●

COURTESY OF HOXTON STREET MONSTER SUPPLIES

tle kids, remember, and it doesn’t encourage violence. Probably. Also, it has grafitti-resistant solar panels, to keep the playground clean and green. On the downside, the €499 price tag is an abomination.

Providing wholesome, outdoor fun for bigger kids (or adults with both a sense of balance and good medical insurance) is the ZBoard weightsensing electric skateboard from Intuitive Motion (Zboardshop.com). Happily for the plus-sized, the “weight-sensing” part does not mean the ZBoard mocks hefty skaters. Instead, it gauges how much pressure is put on the forward foot pad and translates that into forward motion.

Don’t expect to do any fancy tricks on the ZBoard – it’s heavy and clunky. Also, it has a top speed of 17 mph and a range of just 5-10 miles, making it well-suited for snack runs to the local shop but not so good for, say, a pilgrimage to Mecca. Unless Mecca lies within a 10 mile radius of home, of course.

You can pre-order the ZBoard now for $499.

Be aware, though, that shipping costs to non-US destinations can run to several hundred dollars.

And now for something somewhat different – the Pet’s Eye View Digital Camera from ThinkGeek (Thinkgeek.com). If you’ve ever wondered how life looks from a pet’s perspective, here’s your chance to find out (for $50).

COURTESY OF ZBOARD / INTUITIVE MOTION

Son-X Octavia

COURTESY OF HAGS

Reactionaries like to moan about the zeitgeist of the modern era. Life was better in the past, they say. Parents were better at being parents, children had attention spans, and family members with developmental disorders were neatly tucked away in attics and basements.

The internet – that foul repository of depravity and lolcats – wasn’t constantly eroding the fabric of moral society, they claim. Indeed, if these people had their way, hellishly banal videos of soccer games and family get-togethers would be the sum total of the internet (instead of just 40 percent of it, as is the case today). The kind of content, in other words, that has been known to cause unsuspecting viewers to poke out their own eyes with the object closest at hand. Usually a computer mouse.

Pfft. The world of today ain’t that iniquitous, folks, and Techeye aims to prove it. That’s why all the products in this week’s article are innocuous, untinged with moral ambiguity and fun for the whole family. Let’s start with the Son-X Octavia, an “interactive sound device for swings” created

by PlayITsound (Son-xplay.com) and sold by etailer Hags (Hags.com).

The Son-X Octavia comes loaded with three “games,” called “applause,” “concert” and “beat.” These games are activated “after threeto-six swing motions of approximately 20 percent full swing motion” and respectively encourage a child to swing harder, provide a “relaxation experience” or “give the child a feeling of engaging with funny hip hop sound.”

Ok, that sounds a bit lame. But this is for lit-

COURTESY OF THINKGEEK

The modern world ain’t so bad

Ever enjoyed the feeling of engaging with funny hip hop sound? Let us know: techeye.wbj@gmail.com

Warsaw Business Journal’s hugely popular investment guide To order a print copy or digital version of the publication, e-mail kwilinski@valkea.com or call +48 (22) 639 85 67, ext. 208