“Europe, that’s for sure” is a series of debates on the continent’s challenges and future organised at the European Parliament Liaison Office in Warsaw. One of the discussions with high school pupils and university students, held on 12 June, was joined by Poland’s top diplomat Radosław Sikorski.

Reinforcing the “Made in Europe” approach

The participants agreed that the European Union is now facing unprecedented economic, technological, and geopolitical challenges. The discussion touched on reinforcing the “Made in Europe” approach which involves stronger support for European producers and suppliers in projects funded by the EU. It is also aimed at creating conditions favourable to investment, innovation, and industrial development within the European Union.

One of our current threats is deindustrialisation under the pressure of lower energy prices in the United States and a massive, automated production and export preferences in China. These are real challenges

- the head of Polish diplomacy said.

To respond to these global threats, we need a stable, modern industry, capable of competing with the world’s largest economies. However, this requires member states’ full solidarity in drafting legislation that actually protects the EU market against unfair external competition.

Tackling disinformation

Disinformation, how to tackle it, and foreign interference in democratic processes were among the main topics of discussion. The foreign minister stressed that Russian information campaigns are supposed to undermine citizens’ trust in public institutions, the media, and international cooperation. For this reason, the European Union develops tools to protect the information space and reinforce the social resilience.

The European Union should develop its defence identity in harmony with both NATO and the United States

- minister Radosław Sikorski said.

He added that this is why we are preparing the European Democracy Shield. It will aim to protect the integrity of public debate, support free and fair elections, and develop citizens’ media literacy.

Building strong partnerships

The debate offered the opportunity to emphasise that Poland actively supports European cooperation by building strong bilateral partnerships. Of particular importance are Poland’s relations with France that have entered a new phase in recent months, after the two countries signed the Treaty for Enhanced Cooperation and Friendship.

The head of Polish diplomacy underlined that the cooperation under the Treaty includes security and defence, tapping the defence sector’s industrial potential, and intensifying exchange between politicians, experts, academics, and representatives of local government. The tightened alliance is also symbolised by the new Polish–French Friendship Day, celebrated on 20 April, and the new Bronisław Geremek Prize for fostering Polish–French relations.