"Freedom needs strength. We are striving for peace, due to the fact that NATO is simply a defensive alliance, but in order to have the strength to defend ourselves, we request to arm ourselves," Kosiniak-Kamysz said in the courtyard of the Polish Army Museum at the Warsaw Citadel. He stressed that "a relay race of generations and people" who had different views, but a common goal – a strong, independent Poland – was striving for membership. "We come from different backgrounds, we are united by 1 sacred common denominator, which is called Poland," added the Deputy Prime Minister, who besides participated in the anniversary debate.