Though Poland and the United States once had a close relationship, younger generations of Poles may become indifferent toward the western country because of weaker ties, said the Polish ambassador to the United States last night at the Photonics Center.

“America is no longer looked at as the great promise,” said ambassador Janusz Reiter after the lecture, the first in a series about the European Union that drew more than 70 Boston University community members. “America was the great inspiration, and it is not anymore. Now it is a partner.”

While Reiter described Poland and the United States as having “a wonderful relationship with a glorious past,” he said Poland’s younger generation does not have the same outlook as its elders.

Reiter suggested visa policies allowing Poles to enter the United States need reforms to ensure young Poles will want to visit America.

“If America doesn’t do anything about [visas], then the relationship will be lost,” Reiter said. “It’s not that [young people] will become anti-American, but they may become indifferent.”

Reiter also spoke of Poland’s successes since the Soviet Union fell in 1989, and he addressed issues central to the debates on immigration and Poland’s role in the EU.

“There is no gap or clash of values between Poland and the EU, but there might be a problem of communication due to differences in style and language,” Reiter said.

Reiter and author Lawrence Weschler debated other issues facing the European country.

“The problem is not nationalism, but identity,” Reiter said. “It takes a strong identity to participate in the European project. The Polish identity is not in the best shape today.”

BU Polish Society President Chris Ogorzalek said he attended the event looking to meet new members and stay current with news about Poland.

“The more people learn about Poland, the more they can identify with their heritage,” the College of Engineering junior said.

College of Arts and Sciences junior Brandon Polcik said his history class inspired him to attend the lecture.

“I really had an interest in what the ambassador had to say about more current events and Poland’s ascension into the European Union,” he said.

Irena Gross, executive director of the Institute for Human Sciences, which sponsored the discussion, said she hopes more students will attend the lectures.

Gross said Poland was selected to be the first country in the EU lecture series because it was recently admitted into the EU.