At the initiative of the Chairman of the Commission for Liaison with Poles Abroad, the Speaker of the Sejm met with organizations of Poles in Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia and Ukraine, as well as students of the Polish Reytan School in Belarus and the Freedom and Democracy Foundation, which supports democratic changes in the former Soviet Union. In his speech Marshal Kuchciński highlighted the activities of the Polish government and parliament to support compatriots across the eastern border, which is to be achieved, among others, by the draft amendment to the Card of the Pole. According to the draft, the Card holders will be able to settle in our country more easily and quickly, after only one year of residence. They will be exempt from fees for acceptance and processing of applications for a national visa, for acceptance and processing of applications for Polish citizenship and for permanent residence or study permits. The card can be issued not only by a consul, but also by a voivode.

After the changes are introduced, up to 100 thousand of our compatriots will be able to come to Poland. The Card of the Pole is granted in 15 countries formed after the collapse of the Soviet Union, which do not recognize dual citizenship. Applicants should prove their ties with the country, including knowledge of the Polish language or Polish roots. Thanks to it, even 100 thousand people of Polish descent could come to Poland.

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