A two-day conference in Krakow entitled "Development in European terms. What development policy for a secure, resilient and globally competitive European Union?", attended by more than 1,000 people from across Europe, is the first of the flagship conferences of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, centred around the seven dimensions of European security. 

Investment, energy, security and European-ness – these are the four signposts for a competitive and proud Europe,

said the Speaker of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia, who gave the opening speech. He expressed his conviction that the European Union, through the implementation of these demands, would be the world's largest economy.

The Speaker of the Sejm was followed by the Minister for Development Funds and Regional Policy, Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz.

Almost everyone in Europe who will decide on the developmental future of the European Union is at the Kraków conference. We have come together as an absolutely unique group. It is an honour, but also our pride that, here in Krakow, we can say to ourselves that big and bold changes are needed. These changes can give a big boost to Europe's development. And about these changes, in what direction they will go, we are talking today and tomorrow,

said Minister for Development Funds and Regional Policy Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz. 

Europe is big, something we have been forgetting lately. It is the largest development project based on peace and values, that has brought prosperity to millions of people. It is a project that makes inequality in Europe decrease. Let us hope and believe that it will move forward, and that Poland, which is part of it, is ready to take full co-responsibility for the changes we badly need today,

Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz emphasised. 

Cohesion policy is fundamental, but we also need change

The ceremony was also attended by Raffaele Fitto, Vice-President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reform, Roxana Mînzatu, Vice-President of the European Commission for Social Rights, Skills, Quality Jobs and Readiness, and Aleksander Miszalski, Mayor of Kraków. 

The head of the MDFRP also stressed in her speech that Poland's position on the future of cohesion policy is unequivocal.

The possibility for regions to decide on their development and their investments is very important, and we want this to be maintained,

Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz said at the press conference. 

She also listed the changes advocated. She included, among other things, the need to create a new NRP and to raise additional own funds, which would come, for example, from EU entry fees.

We also need a review of the single market and of competition, innovation and public procurement policies. There is also a need for deregulation, or a White Paper of what we can streamline, remove and do, so that it is easy to understand for businesses and for people,

the head of the MDFRP pointed out. 

At the end of her opening speech, Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz emphasised the importance of the place and time in which Poland, Europe and the world currently find themselves.

We are facing a great choice between a Europe of stagnation and a Europe of hope and bold change. This choice has a concrete bearing on how we plan cohesion policy, which is the jewel in the EU's crown, as well as how we plan investment policy and the common market, which have always been and are its twin brother and

Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz pointed out. 

The head of the MDFRP also held a number of bilateral meetings, including with Themis Christophidou, Director General of Regional and Urban Policy, and Celine Gauer, Director General at the EC in charge of the NRP negotiations. 

What future awaits Europe

In the expert debate entitled The Importance of the European Union. How Does Cohesion Policy Build a Strong Europe? Deputy Minister for Development Funds and Regional Policy Jan Szyszko stressed that we should already be taking bold decisions on the changes needed in cohesion policy. We do not have to wait until 2027 for this.

Cohesion policy must evolve and be adapted to current needs and priorities. As part of this evolution, we must remember the very foundations of this policy. We are therefore open to discussing the mid-term review,

said Deputy Minister Jan Szyszko.

The deputy head of the MDFRP also referred to the recommendations of the Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi reports, calling for a stronger single market and increased EU competitiveness.

According to Deputy Minister Jan Szyszko, socio-economic and territorial cohesion in the European Union is a guarantee of security and resilience. It is also a key condition for deepening European integration, increasing competitiveness, ensuring social peace and improving the quality of life of EU citizens.