The Polish Ambassador HE Barbara Tuge introduces Professor Aleks Szczerbiak at the launch of his new book, Poland Within the European Union

The Polish Embassy in London was the venue for the well-attended launch on Monday (26 September) of a new book by the Co-Director of the Sussex European Institute (SEI), Professor Aleks Szczerbiak.

At the launch Professor Szczerbiak, Professor of Politics and Contemporary European Studies at Sussex, gave a guest lecture highlighting the main themes of his book, Poland Within the European Union: New awkward partner or new heart of Europe?

Published by Routledge, the book examines the first five years of Polish EU membership, looking at Poland's influence on the EU as a new member state, and the impact that becoming an EU member has had on Polish public attitudes towards the EU and on party and electoral politics in that country.

The book uses the Polish case to draw broader theoretical contributions about the EU's relations with its member states.

The lecture was followed by a lively and wide ranging discussion, chaired by Professor Szczerbiak's colleague, Professor Alan Mayhew. An SEI Visiting Professorial Fellow, Professor Mayhew has been a long-time adviser to Polish governments, particularly during the country's EU accession negotiations, and, post-accession, to the National Bank of Poland.

Together with other scholars researching the politics of the region, the launch was also attended by representatives from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, other embassies, think tanks and NGOs specialising in European affairs and the business community, together with the UK-based Polish media and émigré community organisations.

Opening the event, and introducing Professor Szczerbiak, the Polish Ambassador HE Barbara Tuge-Erecińska noted the book's timely publication, with Poland currently holding the six-month rotating presidency of the EU.

Speaking after the launch, Professor Szczerbiak, who comes from a Polish family, said: "I am absolutely delighted to have had the opportunity to launch my new book at such a prestigious venue and am extremely pleased that it has generated so much interest, and not just among the usual 'Poland-watchers'.

"SEI has always taken a close interest in EU eastward enlargement and enjoyed exceptionally strong links with Poland, a country to which I have both a strong intellectual and emotional attachment.

"Hopefully, the participants came away with a clearer idea of what kind of EU member Poland has become and is likely to be in the future."