The event was co-organised by the Polish and Czech branches of EURACTIV as part of a project financed by the Polish-Czech Forum. During the debate, the ministers took part in a panel on Poland’s and the Czech Republic’s common ambitions within the European Union.

Addressing a number of items on the EU’s current political agenda, including the single market and digital agenda, climate policy, EU enlargement, and Eastern policy, the top diplomats confirmed the far-reaching convergence of our countries’ positions on European policy. “It is natural that we have similar views on the most important items on the European agenda. After all, we share similar experiences in our modern history, our common Central European identity, and similar challenges that we inherited from the previous system,” said Minister Rau. The discussion also covered challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and joint initiatives to deal with them, as well as regional cooperation in this area, for example through the newly established virtual V4 Centre for COVID-19 Information Exchange. The debate showed that the Czech Republic and Poland remain natural and important partners in the neighbourhood, region, and within the EU. “I am very pleased that despite the pandemic we have managed to continue our regular and intensive cooperation in all its dimensions,” stressed Minister Zbigniew Rau.

As part of the event, another discussion panel was held, titled “Czech-Polish partnership in the security agenda”. It was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces of the Czech Republic and the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Polish and Czech think-tank experts in cyber security and industrial security.

The Polish-Czech Forum was established in 2008 under a memorandum signed by the Polish and Czech ministers of foreign affairs. It is a unique platform that supports grassroots initiatives for civil society, enhancing people-to-people contacts and the development of good neighbourly relations. A practical instrument for achieving the Forum’s goals are grant competitions that are announced each year by both the Polish and Czech side. The goals include supporting bilateral projects and launching new initiatives in various areas of cooperation, such as politics, culture, arts, science and research, education, youth exchange, cross-border cooperation, media, economy, etc. – in practically all fields of common interest.

 

MFA Press Office

Photo: Tymon Markowski / MFA