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THREAD: Former Polish Foreign Minister & Oxford-educated Anglophile @sikorskiradek published a book on his time in government and there are some tasty bits about UK's EU policy, Global Britain theories, Brexit, EU-USSR comparisons and his dealings with British ministers.
[1/17]
[1/17]
Sikorski recalls that an unnamed UK's Europe Minister was the only minister in his seven years in office who attempted forcing Poland to make a specific decision by threatening to block its efforts elsewhere - but he failed and never followed up on the threat
[2/17]
![Sikorski recalls that an unnamed UK's Europe Minister was the only minister in his seven years in office who attempted forcing Poland to make a specific decision by threatening to block its efforts elsewhere - but he failed and never followed up on the threat[2/17]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DpTJyHfW4AQaMoV.jpg "Sikorski recalls that an unnamed UK's Europe Minister was the only minister in his seven years in office who attempted forcing Poland to make a specific decision by threatening to block its efforts elsewhere - but he failed and never followed up on the threat[2/17]")
[2/17]
Sikorski also describes a pre-accession meeting with a senior UK politician who later was a minister in Cameron government who excitedly told him that 'together we
(Poland and the UK) can destroy the Brussels empire'.
[3/17]
![Sikorski also describes a pre-accession meeting with a senior UK politician who later was a minister in Cameron government who excitedly told him that 'together we(Poland and the UK) can destroy the Brussels empire'.[3/17]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DpTJzWqXcAEF8BN.jpg "Sikorski also describes a pre-accession meeting with a senior UK politician who later was a minister in Cameron government who excitedly told him that 'together we(Poland and the UK) can destroy the Brussels empire'.[3/17]")
(Poland and the UK) can destroy the Brussels empire'.
[3/17]
He ironically notes that Poland and the UK teamed up once before - in the 30s - and Poland (in a free translation) 'didn't end up particularly well' - a reference to perceived lack of sufficient UK support after invasion on Poland in Sept 1939
[4/17]
[4/17]
Sikorski adds that Brits 'generally know little about Poland' & 'Polish history is completely absent from UK history books'
'We got to be cautious when they praise us, because it means they either want to use us or play to stereotypes that are not necessarily flattering'
[5/17]
![Sikorski adds that Brits 'generally know little about Poland' & 'Polish history is completely absent from UK history books''We got to be cautious when they praise us, because it means they either want to use us or play to stereotypes that are not necessarily flattering'[5/17]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DpTJ0TjWwAAmza4.jpg "Sikorski adds that Brits 'generally know little about Poland' & 'Polish history is completely absent from UK history books''We got to be cautious when they praise us, because it means they either want to use us or play to stereotypes that are not necessarily flattering'[5/17]")
'We got to be cautious when they praise us, because it means they either want to use us or play to stereotypes that are not necessarily flattering'
[5/17]
Sikorski also comments on some UK politicians making 'comparisons between the EU and the USSR - the routine insult of British Eurosceptics - which is offensive not so much towards Brussels, but us, who experienced the Soviet-type integration first hand'.
cc @Jeremy_Hunt
[6/17]
cc @Jeremy_Hunt
[6/17]
Sikorski says that whenever confronted with such comment, he would ask how many deaths is the EU responsible for - and how it compares to the USSR.
"Such a comparison trivialise our history and shows ignorance and immaturity," he comments.
[7/17]
![Sikorski says that whenever confronted with such comment, he would ask how many deaths is the EU responsible for - and how it compares to the USSR."Such a comparison trivialise our history and shows ignorance and immaturity," he comments.[7/17]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DpTJ1IAW4AELHz7.jpg "Sikorski says that whenever confronted with such comment, he would ask how many deaths is the EU responsible for - and how it compares to the USSR.\"Such a comparison trivialise our history and shows ignorance and immaturity,\" he comments.[7/17]")
"Such a comparison trivialise our history and shows ignorance and immaturity," he comments.
[7/17]
Sikorski takes a swipe at Global Britain Brexiteers, saying that 'some Brits were guided by romanticised vision of their country, loosely linked with reality' & visions of 'free trade XIXc style', 'straight from early XXc books for teenagers', ignoring British imperialism
[8/17]
![Sikorski takes a swipe at Global Britain Brexiteers, saying that 'some Brits were guided by romanticised vision of their country, loosely linked with reality' & visions of 'free trade XIXc style', 'straight from early XXc books for teenagers', ignoring British imperialism[8/17]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DpTJ2FNWkAABe0a.jpg "Sikorski takes a swipe at Global Britain Brexiteers, saying that 'some Brits were guided by romanticised vision of their country, loosely linked with reality' & visions of 'free trade XIXc style', 'straight from early XXc books for teenagers', ignoring British imperialism[8/17]")
[8/17]
Sikorski says that back then British Embassy in Warsaw thought we was overstating the strength of British Euroscepticism, but 'history proved me right'.
He also talks how he tried to warn Cameron, Johnson and Osborne - all of whom he knew from Oxford - against Brexit.
[9/17]
![Sikorski says that back then British Embassy in Warsaw thought we was overstating the strength of British Euroscepticism, but 'history proved me right'.He also talks how he tried to warn Cameron, Johnson and Osborne - all of whom he knew from Oxford - against Brexit.[9/17]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DpTJ3IfXgAAZhcB.jpg "Sikorski says that back then British Embassy in Warsaw thought we was overstating the strength of British Euroscepticism, but 'history proved me right'.He also talks how he tried to warn Cameron, Johnson and Osborne - all of whom he knew from Oxford - against Brexit.[9/17]")
He also talks how he tried to warn Cameron, Johnson and Osborne - all of whom he knew from Oxford - against Brexit.
[9/17]
He also debunks some UK myths about the EU: that UK-EU trade less important than global; EU imposing some human rights laws; costs of UK paying into the EU; EU has excessive bureaucracy; EU produces red tape; EC promotes socialism; social charter & work time regulations.
[10/17]
[10/17]
Sikorski writes about his frustration with 'unnecessary & sadly historic' referendum, saying he's never given an example of what the UK would want to do but couldn't because of the EU.
'Almost all answers were either unrelated to EU law or compliant with EU regs,' says.
[11/17]
![Sikorski writes about his frustration with 'unnecessary & sadly historic' referendum, saying he's never given an example of what the UK would want to do but couldn't because of the EU.'Almost all answers were either unrelated to EU law or compliant with EU regs,' says.[11/17]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DpTJ4g9W0AA64yI.jpg "Sikorski writes about his frustration with 'unnecessary & sadly historic' referendum, saying he's never given an example of what the UK would want to do but couldn't because of the EU.'Almost all answers were either unrelated to EU law or compliant with EU regs,' says.[11/17]")
'Almost all answers were either unrelated to EU law or compliant with EU regs,' says.
[11/17]
In this part he discusses some popular myths about EU member states not being able to deport foreign criminals or introduce charges for using public health care - two common arguments in Brexit referendum debate - and confirms both things can be done even within the EU.
[12/17]
[12/17]
In probably the key part of the book, Sikorski admits that 'even he didn't anticipate the full consequences of Brexit' with UK having to replicate several agencies & renegotiate hundreds of international agreements - and being 'a genuine pig' of the A50 process
[13/17]
![In probably the key part of the book, Sikorski admits that 'even he didn't anticipate the full consequences of Brexit' with UK having to replicate several agencies & renegotiate hundreds of international agreements - and being 'a genuine pig' of the A50 process[13/17]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DpTJ58WW4AAV-h1.jpg "In probably the key part of the book, Sikorski admits that 'even he didn't anticipate the full consequences of Brexit' with UK having to replicate several agencies & renegotiate hundreds of international agreements - and being 'a genuine pig' of the A50 process[13/17]")
[13/17]
Sikorski: 'if (the UK) succeeds, other may follow, but if it fails then in dozen or so years from now - when a younger generation that voted against Brexit takes over - it may apply for readmission, with its tail between its legs, this time aware of its real weight'.
[14/17]
![Sikorski: 'if (the UK) succeeds, other may follow, but if it fails then in dozen or so years from now - when a younger generation that voted against Brexit takes over - it may apply for readmission, with its tail between its legs, this time aware of its real weight'.[14/17]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DpTJ62yWkAAlUyt.jpg "Sikorski: 'if (the UK) succeeds, other may follow, but if it fails then in dozen or so years from now - when a younger generation that voted against Brexit takes over - it may apply for readmission, with its tail between its legs, this time aware of its real weight'.[14/17]")
[14/17]
He says Brexit should make Polish politicians aware that 'setting people against the EU is not without consequences'. 'If you engage in political point scoring on real & imagined faults of the EU then the public may fall for this propaganda & vote against our interests'
[15/17]
![He says Brexit should make Polish politicians aware that 'setting people against the EU is not without consequences'. 'If you engage in political point scoring on real & imagined faults of the EU then the public may fall for this propaganda & vote against our interests'[15/17]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DpTJ7x3XgAEyCMz.jpg "He says Brexit should make Polish politicians aware that 'setting people against the EU is not without consequences'. 'If you engage in political point scoring on real & imagined faults of the EU then the public may fall for this propaganda & vote against our interests'[15/17]")
[15/17]
On this note, he also calls for a deeper understanding of the EU and Poland's geostrategic role in the Union - particularly for after it will become a net contributor to the budget.
[16/17]
![On this note, he also calls for a deeper understanding of the EU and Poland's geostrategic role in the Union - particularly for after it will become a net contributor to the budget.[16/17]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DpTJ8vAWkAEa4c8.jpg "On this note, he also calls for a deeper understanding of the EU and Poland's geostrategic role in the Union - particularly for after it will become a net contributor to the budget.[16/17]")
[16/17]
Right, that's it for now, just a quick summary typed on my phone over a morning coffee after checking the text for any references to the UK - the book is officially out (in Polish) next week, so those interested in the full thing can order it online.
[17/17, ENDS]
![Right, that's it for now, just a quick summary typed on my phone over a morning coffee after checking the text for any references to the UK - the book is officially out (in Polish) next week, so those interested in the full thing can order it online.[17/17, ENDS]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DpTJ9lhXUAAd64e.jpg "Right, that's it for now, just a quick summary typed on my phone over a morning coffee after checking the text for any references to the UK - the book is officially out (in Polish) next week, so those interested in the full thing can order it online.[17/17, ENDS]")
[17/17, ENDS]
Always happy to help!
