Poland and Germany plant tree for 'Motorway of Freedom'

President Joachim Gauck of Germany (L) and President Bronislaw Komorowski of Poland (R) at Brwinow, near Warsaw, on Wednesday evening. Photo: PAP/Rafal Guz

The A2, which was completed for the Euro 2012 football tournament, spans 454 km between Warsaw and the German border.

“This is a motorway which not only connects Poland with Germany, but also with the whole of Europe,” Komorowski reflected.

The oak sapling, itself dubbed the 'Oak of Freedom', was planted near the town of Brwinow, 25 km outside of Warsaw, at a car park adjacent to the motorway.

Signs proclaiming the road as the 'Motorway of Freedom' have also been unveiled, and some provide information about intriguing tourist sites along the route.

Komorowski hinted that he is planning to attend November's 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall via the A2 motorway.

Motorists fares for using the A2 were waived on Wednesday as a symbolic gesture (normally drivers must pay 80 zloty/ 19.5 euros) for access.

The free elections that were held in Poland on 4 June 1989 paved the way for the end of communism in the country, and they were followed by a domino-like collapse of communist regimes across Central and Eastern Europe. Many of the current presidents of those countries, joined by President Barack Obama, took part in festivities over the last two days in Warsaw. (nh)

Source: PAP, Gazeta Wyborcza