Poland in Greece

Seminar “Energy Security and Critical Infrastructure in the Baltic and Mediterranean Maritime Space – Mutual Risk, Mutual Resilience”

During the exhibition, the Embassy of Poland in Athens organised a seminar to discuss the growing challenges related to Europe’s maritime and energy security. The event was held within the framework of Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States and gathered representatives of public administration, experts, and industry stakeholders.

Participants highlighted the strategic importance of maritime infrastructure, including LNG terminals, gas pipelines, and subsea cables, for Europe’s stability and energy security. Keynote speeches were delivered by Ignacy Niemczycki, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, and Dimitris Skalkos, Secretary General for International Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece.

The first panel, moderated by Daniel Piekarski (Economic Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland), focused on the geopolitical dimension of hybrid threats and the protection of maritime energy infrastructure. The discussion featured Agnieszka Legucka (Department of Strategy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland), Amanda Dziubińska (Polish Institute of International Affairs), and Costis Stambolis, (Director of the Institute of Energy for South-East Europe).

The second panel, moderated by Giannis Theodoropoulos, Editor-in-Chief of Naftika Chronika, addressed practical aspects of strengthening the resilience of energy systems. Panellists included Alexandros Koutroumpousis (Gastrade S.A., Greece), Marcin Ryngwelski (President of the Management Board of PGZ Naval Shipyard), Miltiadis Varvitsiotis (Vice President and Managing Director of Skaramangas Shipyards), and Grzegorz Pettke (President of the Polish Register of Shipping).

The Polish Pavilion

The central element of the Polish exhibition was the 170 m² Polish Pavilion organised by the Ministry of Infrastructure. Prior to the official opening of the exhibition, a ceremony marking the inauguration of the Polish stand was held, during which the Head of Mission and representatives of leading Polish companies symbolically cut the ribbon.

Within the Polish Pavilion, the following entities presented their offerings: Nauta Shiprepair Yard, the Polish Register of Shipping, the Company Development Fund together with Gryfia Marine Repair Shipyard and Szczecin Shipyard Wulkan, the Maritime Economy Employers’ Forum representing Bohamet, Famor, the Ship Design and Research Centre (CTO), and JPP Marine, as well as MG Marine Power Solutions.

In total, the Polish maritime industry was represented at the Athens exhibition by 27 exhibitors. In addition to the companies participating in the national pavilion, a number of entities showcased their products independently within the Metropolitan Expo exhibition area, including Remontowa Shipbuilding, Remontowa Lighting Technologies, Axpro Concept/Kowary Carpets, ENAMOR, GLAMOX, Gospodarka Morska Sp. z o.o., LUMEL, MAEM, MARCONTREL, NAVI ENGINES, SIMEX, STR Marine, WSK – International, and TOWIMOR.

Accompanying Events Supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Athens

Representatives of the Polish Embassy in Athens actively participated in activities organised on the margins of the exhibition, including the Posidonia Cup sailing regatta and the Posidonia Running race.

The Head of the Polish Mission in Athens was invited, as the only representative of the diplomatic corps, to present awards at the Posidonia Cup. This was undoubtedly a recognition of Poland’s engagement in the event and a confirmation of the country’s growing visibility within the international maritime community.

Under the auspices of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Athens, a reception was organised to celebrate the 30th anniversary of PRS Hellas and the 90th anniversary of the Polish Register of Shipping.