Poland wants into the G-20 now that its economy is world’s 18th largest

Poland, with world’s 18th economy, wants in G-20

WARSAW, Poland — Poland’s president says his country deserves to become a member of Group of 20 now that its economy has grown to become the 18th largest in the world.

President Lech Kaczynski argued that Poland, the largest of 10 ex-communist nations that joined the European Union in recent years, has grown in influence and belongs in the world’s premier forum for discussing major economic issues.

“The place for my country is within the G-20,” Kaczynski said Tuesday during a meeting with diplomats in Warsaw.

Poland’s economy has enjoyed strong growth since embracing a market economy 20 years ago, and got a further boost with EU membership in 2004.

World Bank figures for 2008 — the most recent available — show that Poland has the world’s 18th largest economy in terms of gross domestic product.

Poland posted growth of 1.7 percent in 2009, becoming the only European country to avoid recession amid the global downturn.

The G-20, which combines long-standing industrial democracies and emerging economic powers such as China and India, already includes fellow EU members Britain, Germany, France and Italy and the EU’s rotating presidency.

While the G-20 represents a broad range of the world’s regions, it also includes countries such as Argentina and Saudi Arabia whose economies are outside the top 20.

(This version CORRECTS that president spoke Tuesday, not Wednesday.)