Jaroslaw Kaczynski, a candidate to succeed his brother as Polish president, expressed hope that relations between Warsaw and Moscow would gradually evolve into a mutually-beneficial partnership.
Russian-Polish relations improved in recent months as a result of the sympathy Russia showed over the death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski in a plane accident near the western Russian city of Smolensk.
"I hope that these relations will enter a phase of normal contacts, and later transform into mutually-beneficial relations," Kaczynski, who is the leader the leader of Poland's Law and Justice Party, said in an interview with RIA Novosti on Wednesday.
"If both our peoples could understand each other and come to a common denominator - seriously and with a long-term perspective - it would serve the strengthening of ties on all levels, including the political and economic levels and the cultural exchange," he said.
According to a recent survey, Kaczynski and acting president Bronislaw Komorowski are the favorites to win the race for Polish presidency.
The first round of polls is scheduled on June 20, and if no candidate receives the required 50% plus of the national vote, a second round between the two top candidates will take place on July 4.
While Kaczynski built his career on anti-Russian rhetoric and ferreting out Russian "sleeper agents," he also penned a video address to the Russian people following the death of his brother, thanking them "for every tear shed, every candle lit, for every word of comfort."
Kaczynski said on Wednesday Russia would be among the first countries he would like to visit if he is elected as Polish president.
WARSAW, June 17 (RIA Novosti)
