The main purpose of our activities is to ensure security, peace and the greatest possible prosperity of our fellow citizens. This is our most important role and the one most expected by those who elected us, President Andrzej Duda said in Lublin on Tuesday.
I am very happy to open the 3rd Congress on Self-Government of the Three Seas Region here in Lublin. This event has become in recent years a very important platform for exchanging experiences and discussing regional cooperation in our part of Europe
– said the president on Tuesday at the opening of the 3rd Local Government Congress of the Three Seas Initiative in Lublin.
As he emphasized, he remembers the first edition of this congress, which took place in 2021.
This meeting was organized during a difficult period of the pandemic for all of us although it must be said that today’s 3rd Three Seas Local Governments Congress although it is taking place in other but it seems that perhaps even more difficult circumstances
– said Andrzej Duda.
“Safety is the main topic of almost all our meetings”
We are only 100 km from the Polish-Ukrainian border. Ukraine, which fell victim to ruthless Russian aggression one year and three months ago. This is also why security is the main topic of almost all our meetings today
emphasized the president.
He pointed out that safety is currently being discussed in many forums.
We talk about safety everywhere. As all elected through democratic elections, we have a deep conviction that the main purpose of our actions is to ensure security, peace and the greatest possible prosperity of our fellow citizens. This is our – without a doubt – the most important and most awaited role from those who elected us
noted Duda.
Chairman: The intensification of cross-border cooperation in the field of the Three Seas Initiative is one of the priorities
Stepping up cross-border cooperation on the Three Seas Initiative is one of the priorities, President Andrzej Duda said in Lublin. Agreements are signed during the local government congress, including: for the establishment of the Three Seas Universities Network and the Network of Regions.
I am convinced that this year’s edition of the Congress will be another good opportunity to make many contacts and have constructive discussions, which will lead to further ideas for even better integration of the Three Seas Initiative
– said President Duda.
One of those ideas, which originated here in Lublin, is the establishment of the Three Seas Universities Network. The agreement establishing this network will be signed today, and the project itself will certainly contribute to strengthening the partnership between local communities of the Three Seas countries
he stressed.
As the president noted during his address, “the intensification of cross-border cooperation on the Three Seas Initiative is one of the priorities that we should always remember”.
Duda emphasized that “over the past three decades, the economic growth of the countries of our region has been 1.5 percent higher than in Germany, the largest economy in the European Union.”
In 2004, the countries of the Three Seas Initiative generated only 15.2 percent of the GDP of the European Union, while in 2018 this already amounted to more than 19.1 percent of the GDP of our European community
– added.
At that time, Poland remained the leader in economic growth with an average growth rate of more than 5 percent
he pointed it out.
The Three Seas Initiative should be an accelerator, it should be an additional engine that will support our development, accelerate it even more and ensure that, I hope, in the near future at least most of our countries will huge part of Western European economies, and the standard of living will be higher than what we see in Western Europe today
– said the president, pointing out that the region seems to be more resilient to crises than Western Europe.
He admitted to being pleased with the interest in the Three Seas Initiative from the world’s major economies and investors who see the potential in the region and want to create capital connections with it.
I am pleased that the agreement on the Three Seas Network will be signed during this year’s Congress
Duda said.
It welcomes the admission to the network of new members from Romania and Ukraine
– added.
The Three Seas Initiative consists of several hundred local communities with different cultures, economies and traditions. The network – based on the idea of the Lubelskie Voivodeship – is an excellent tool for learning the specificities of individual regions and exploiting their potential
– added.
I am convinced that the document signed tomorrow will result in numerous infrastructure, economic and cultural projects for the benefit of those interested and for the entire Three Seas Initiative area
he stressed.
Witek: The Three Seas Initiative is an extremely valuable initiative
The Three Seas Initiative is an extremely valuable initiative that builds on the growing importance of the countries of our region in the European Union. This can be seen more and more clearly – said Marshal of the Sejm Elżbieta Witek in Lublin on Tuesday.
The Marshal of the Sejm took part in the 3rd Self-Government Congress of the Three Seas Initiative, which is taking place in the capital of the Lublin Voivodeship.
Witek emphasized in her speech that she was pleased that “the parliamentary component was intertwined” in the Congress. She noted that the countries of the Three Seas Initiative cultivate a common identity and share many common past experiences.
But above all, we have a great awareness of the potential that lies in our countries and our nations. We cannot waste this potential
she added.
The Marshal of the Sejm said that many interesting initiatives are taking place under the Three Seas Initiative, eg at local, regional and national level.
She called on the Three Seas countries to “speak with one voice” in the international forum on the issues most important to them.
Witek recalled that the Three Seas Parliamentary Forum was established as part of the Three Seas Initiative, which was first held in 2021. She added that as part of this forum, she organized a meeting of the youngest MPs of the Three Seas countries in Warsaw.
It turned out that young people have no inhibitions, they have a lot in common. They quickly found a common language. They established a direct relationship and maintain it to this day
– emphasized the Marshal of the Sejm.
tkwl/PAP/Twitter
Source: wPolityce