New Polish president Lech Kaczynski addresses the National Assembly after being sworn in for the post, in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Dec. 23, 2005. (Xinhua photo)

WARSAW, Dec. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Former Mayor of Warsaw Lech Kaczynski was inaugurated Friday as Poland's new president, promising to fight corruption, boost the economy, and carry out more diplomatic activities.

    At a ceremony before the National Assembly, Kaczynski vowed in a speech to be "faithful to the country's constitution, and protect dignity of the nation, independence and security of the state."

    He focused his 20-minute speech on domestic issues, including getting rid of corruption and promoting the economy.

    Kaczynski, a 56-year-old former Solidarity activist and ex-Warsaw mayor, said, "The state is not performing its duties properly ... it must be cleansed and rebuilt."

    Kaczynski sticks to traditional social values.

    

Lech Kaczynski (R) is being sworn in as Polish President as he stands next to his wife Maria at the Polish Parliament in Warsaw December 23, 2005.  (Xinhua photo)

In foreign affairs, he said the country's top duty was to guarantee Poland's security and favourable political and economic conditions for domestic reconstruction.

    He said Poland would go on to seek strong relations with the United States and pledged to make ties with Russia "an important issue" for his presidency.

    Kaczynski said that in relations with the European Union Poland cannot just defend its current interests. "We have had great success, improvement in relations with Germany and France ... But Poland should undertake more term projects."

    He won the presidency in an Oct. 23 runoff election. Enditem