The blue star-speckled flag of the European Union (EU) was raised at zero hour local time on Saturday in the Polish capital city of Warsaw, marking the East European country's formal membership in the EU.

Thousands of Poles gathered in the Pitsudski Square in central Warsaw to attend the flag-raising ceremony.

"Dreams are becoming a reality," Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski said in his address at the ceremony.

Poland faces more opportunities and tasks than difficulties after becoming an EU member, Kwasniewski added.

Following the ceremony, Poles celebrated EU membership with dances and fireworks.

The Pitsudski Square is a symbol of the independence of Poland. Pitsudski served as the first Polish president in 1918, when Poland became an independent country.

Poland is the largest of the 10 countries joining the EU on Saturday.

(Xinhua News Agency May 2, 2004