It is universally recognised that the rate of inflation has been brought down sharply and that this has been a crucial factor underpinning the restructuring of the economy. Furthermore, important steps have now been taken towards autonomy for the Polish central bank; they are reflected in the Central Bank Act which recently came into force.
Germany congratulates Poland on the progress that has been achieved. And we are pleased that many different contacts exist at all levels - including, of course, the field of central banking. I should also like to mention the notable scale of direct investment in Poland by German enterprises. It is gratifying to see that particularly small and medium-sized enterprises are involved in that area.