Budapest: 10th Summit of the Speakers of Parliaments of South-Eastern European countries
On Friday, 24 September, a parliamentary summit on the enlargement of the European Union was held in the capital of Hungary. Presidents and representatives of Parliaments of South-Eastern European countries and the Visegrad Group took part in the debate. Speaker of the Sejm Elżbieta Witek was represented by Deputy Speaker Ryszard Terlecki. The event was also attended by Agnieszka Kaczmarska, Head of the Chancellery of the Sejm.
Visegrád: Meeting of the Speakers of Parliaments of V4 countries
On Thursday, 23 September, a meeting of Presidents of the Czech, Polish, Slovak and Hungarian Parliaments took place in Visegrád - a symbolic venue for the V4 Group. Elżbieta Witek, Speaker of the Sejm, was represented at the talks by Deputy Speaker Ryszard Terlecki.
Karpacz: 30th edition of the Europe of the Carpathians Conference as part of the Economic Forum. Day three
Thursday, 9 September, was the last day of the 30th anniversary edition of the Europe of the Carpathians Conference. On that day, talks of Polish and foreign experts, politicians and scientists focused on Recovery Plans for Europe in response to threats and challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The Green Deal and the related energy transition were also discussed. In addition, the agenda included Polish-Ukrainian links in the context of international relations in Central and Eastern Europe.
Karpacz: 30th edition of „the Europe of the Carpathians” held as part of the Economic Forum. Day Two
On Wednesday, 8 September 2021, during the second day of the “Europe of the Carpathians” conference, the discussion was held on the European Green Deal as an opportunity for the environment and for organic farming. Other topics on the agenda included regional cooperation, technological development and visions for Europe. The event was organized by the Chancellery of the Sejm, in partnership with the Wacław Felczak Institute of Polish-Hungarian Cooperation.
Karpacz: 30th edition of the Europe of the Carpathians Conference as part of the Economic Forum. Day one
On Tuesday, 7 September, the 30th jubilee edition of the Europe of the Carpathians Conference began in Karpacz. On the first day of the conference, Polish and foreign experts, politicians and scientists discussed the problems of Central and Eastern Europe and strengthening cooperation, new challenges in international politics, energy security and socio-economic changes.
"We have a cultural community that is our heritage and strength". Hungary: Meeting of the Presidents of V4 Parliaments with the participation of the Speaker of the Sejm
On 15-16 July, Speaker of the Polish Sejm Elżbieta Witek visited Hungary where she took part in the Meeting of the Presidents of Parliaments of the Visegrad Group countries. The summit began in Budapest, on the second day the Presidents of the Polish, Czech, Slovak and Hungarian Parliaments debated at Károlyi Castle in Fehérvárcsurgó. The meeting inaugurated the Hungarian Presidency of the Visegrad Group.
"We agree on every issue essential for our region". Topacz: The meeting of the Speakers of the Parliaments of the Visegrad Group countries
On Friday, on the 11th of June, the Speakers of the Parliaments of the Visegrad Group countries met in the Topacz Castle in Lower Silesia. During the event ending Poland’s one-year presidency of the Visegrad Group, our country was represented by: the Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, Elżbieta Witek, and the Marshal of the Senate of the
Republic of Poland, Tomasz Grodzki.
Meeting of the Speakers of V4 Parliaments - report
Another debate of the Speakers of Parliaments of the Visegrad Group countries under the Polish Presidency is behind us. Prospects for combating the COVID-19 pandemic, current security issues in the region in the context of digital security, information security and hybrid threats as well as parliamentary cooperation in the European Union were the main topics of the working meeting that took place on Wednesday, April 21, online. Marshal of the Sejm Elżbieta Witek attended the meeting.
28th edition of "Europe of the Carpathians". Summary of the second day of the videoconference
On Sunday, February 28, during the second day of the videoconference "Europe of the Carpathians", a discussion was held on the European Green Deal as an opportunity for the environment and organic farming. The issues of cultural cooperation and youth in Central Europe were also discussed. The meeting was moderated, as on Saturday, by Rusłana Krzemińska and Dr. Jerzy Kwieciński.
28th edition of "Europe of the Carpathians". Summary of the first day of the videoconference
On Saturday, February 27, the 28th edition of "Europe of the Carpathians" began. Once again, Polish and foreign experts, politicians and scientists met to discuss, inter alia, international dialogue in the region of Central Europe and parliamentary, economic and cultural cooperation.
30th anniversary of the Visegrád Group. Parliamentary dimension of cooperation between Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary
15 February 2021. The Visegrád Group celebrates the 30th anniversary of its establishment. This informal regional association was established by three countries, Czechoslovakia, Poland and Hungary, as what was known as the Visegrád Triangle.
Teleconference of the Speakers of V4 Parliaments. Report
The first V4 meeting in the year of the 30th anniversary of the Visegrad Group was held on Tuesday, 12 January, via teleconference. Marshal of the Sejm Elżbieta Witek hosted the meeting of the Speakers of the V4 Parliaments and Marshal of the Senate Tomasz Grodzki co-chaired the sessions. The agenda included parliamentary cooperation, regional cooperation to combat the economic and social crisis caused by COVID-19, current issues in European politics and current challenges in foreign policy.
Visegrad webinar with the Minister of Foreign Affairs
July 1 – on the first day of Poland’s Presidency in the Visegrad Group, the Polish Institute of International Affairs and the Centre for Eastern Studies held a seminar on the priorities of the Polish V4 Presidency under the motto “Back on track”. The online meeting was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jacek Czaputowicz, and representatives of think tanks associated in the Think Visegrad – V4 Think Tank Platform.
The Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland. The Marshal of the Sejm: “A friend of Poland and Polish people”
On 18 September, Elżbieta Witek, the Marshal of the Sejm, awarded László Kövér, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, with the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland. The head of the Hungarian parliament received the award pursuant to the decision of Andrzej Duda, the President of the Republic of Poland, for his notable contributions to developing Polish-Hungarian parliamentary cooperation and friendly relations.
VPI among innovative VIPs. Three years of the Visegrad Patent Institute
Hundreds of submitted projects, international research and preliminary studies followed by reports and opinions – this is the work of the Visegrad Patent Institute, an intergovernmental organisation for patent cooperation founded by the four Visegrad countries. The VPI celebrates its third anniversary on 1 July.
#EUROWAW2019: “The fall of communism as the most important historical experience for the entire post-war Europe”. Report from plenary session
During the second day of the 4th Summit of Speakers of Central and Eastern European Parliaments #EUROWAW2019, two discussion panels were held in the Senate Plenary Hall, attended by delegations from over 20 countries. The debates were also attended by several dozen dissidents and opposition activists from the Balkans, the successor states to the former Yugoslavia, the GDR, Czechoslovakia and the former USSR, distinguished in the fight for freedom.
Stary Sącz: 1st Polish-Hungarian Forum attended by the Marshal of the Sejm. “For better quality of life in Central Europe”. Report
On 18–19 May, Stary Sącz became a platform for debates on the Polish-Hungarian relations, the current cooperation between both countries and ways to enhance it through the lens of geopolitics. The theme of the event was joint action in the area of economics, foreign policy, culture, security and social policy.
15 years of Poland in the European Union. The role of the Sejm in the accession process
Aligning our legislation with EU law was a crucial step on Poland’s path to Union membership. It was also necessary to adopt provisions that would form a legal framework for the accession, including consent for ratification of international agreements with the European Union.
“We are witnessing a major historic process”. International conference on Via Carpatia with the participation of the Marshal of the Sejm. Report
“I’d like to thank the countries, representatives of state authorities, which are joining the great Via Carpatia highway network. This major undertaking is meant to facilitate development and, as we all know, if our part of Europe develops quickly, if it is a good partner to the West, this would mean strengthening the collaboration in the European Union. This is one of our goals”, said Marek Kuchciński, Marshal of the Sejm, as he inaugurated the conference in Łańcut on Wednesday.
Kielce: Celebrations of the Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day with the participation of Sejm officials
Members of the friendship groups in the parliaments of Poland and Hungary commenced the celebrations so special for both countries with joint talks during the bilateral meeting on 22 March. The Sejm was represented by Deputy Marshals Beata Mazurek and Ryszard Terlecki, as well as Piotr Naimski, Chairman of the Polish-Hungarian Parliamentary Group. The Delegation of the Hungarian National Assembly, which had arrived in Kielce, was headed by Deputy Chair of the Hungarian-Polish Parliamentary Friendship Group, Mónika Dunai.
Kielce: Celebrations of the Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day with the participation of parliamentarians from both countries – announcement
It is for the thirteenth time – this time in Kielce – that the celebrations of the Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day will be held. The main celebrations have been scheduled for 22 and 23 March. The Sejm will be represented by the Deputy Speakers: Beata Mazurek and Ryszard Terlecki, as well as Piotr Naimski, Chairman of the Polish-Hungarian Parliamentary Group. A delegation of the Hungarian National Assembly, headed by Deputy Speaker János Latorcai, will also come to Kielce.
”Valuable members of NATO.” 20th anniversary of accession of V4 countries to the North Atlantic Treaty
”Our countries have proved that they are valuable NATO members and the North Atlantic Treaty has demonstrated that it remains a guarantor of common security,” Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said during the ceremonial gathering at the 1st Warsaw Armoured Brigade, held on 10 March as part of the celebrations of NATO accession by Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary. The meeting was attended by the prime ministers of the Visegrad Group and the ministers of defence of these countries.
Krasiczyn. Two-day Conference ”Europe of the Carpathians” - summary
Several dozen foreign guests, experts, local-government officials and ministers of the Polish government attended the 22nd Conference “Europe of the Carpathians”, held in Krasiczyn in the Subcarpathian region on Saturday and Sunday, being one of the most important international political events in this part of the continent in 2019. The series of meetings, initiated and hosted by the Marshal of the Sejm Marek Kuchciński, this time was mainly devoted to infrastructure and investment matters. “Even though nearly 30 years have already passed since the 1989 changes, there is still much to be done to improve road and rail connections. The number of border crossings between the Carpathian states is also inadequate”, Marshal Marek Kuchciński pointed out in his address at the Conference. Marek Kuchciński also informed the attending guests from Hungary, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania and other states that the development level of North - South infrastructure is still but one tenth of the equivalent west of the Odra River. “You usually say ’I’m going to the Alps’ and not to Germany, Austria or Switzerland. By improving cooperation and integration between the states of our region, we could say something like that in the case of the Carpathians,” Marshal Kuchciński suggested to the attendees.
Common history and future of the region. First day of the “Europe of the Carpathians” Conference - report
The 22nd edition of the “Europe of the Carpathians” conference was inaugurated in Krasiczyn near Przemyśl on Saturday. The participants include representatives of parliaments, central and local government administration, academics, experts and analysts from states of the Visegrad Group, Romania and Ukraine. Guests of the meeting hosted by the Marshal of the Sejm Marek Kuchciński include diplomats from Austria, Montenegro and Italy.
Bratislava: Summit of the Visegrad Group heads of state with German Chancellor Angela Merkel
“The V4 countries are the most important trade partner for Germany, more important than France, the United States or China. This shows the dynamism and strength lying in the countries of the Visegrad Group,” Mateusz Morawiecki said in Bratislava during the summit of government heads of the Visegrad Group with the attending German Chancellor Angela Merkel, held on 8 February. The main topics of the meeting were economic matters, Brexit, elections to the European Parliament and the EU budget perspective.
Hungarian parliamentarians pay tribute to the Poles fighting for freedom and independence of their homeland. The Act on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of independence
National Assembly greets Poland celebrating the 100th anniversary of regaining independence and pays its respects to the heroes of Polish freedom-proclaims the content of a law adopted by the Hungarian Parliament on 12 December on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Poland's regaining independence. Members of the governing Fidesz and the Christian Democratic People's Party, including the Speaker of Parliament, László Kövér, have submitted a proposal for the adoption of the Act. The act was adopted with 130 votes in favour, with no votes against or abstentions.
100th anniversary of regaining independence. Celebrations and march in Warsaw with the participation of the Marshal of the Sejm. Press release
On Sunday, November 11, millions of people across Poland celebrated the 100th anniversary of regaining independence. Major events took place in Warsaw – attended by hundreds of thousands, first and foremost, the President, Andrzej Duda, the Marshals of the Sejm and Senate, Marek Kuchciśnki and Stanisław Karczewski, as well as the Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki. The Sejm was also represented by the Head of the Chancellery, Agnieszka Kaczmarska.
”The Pope from Behind the Iron Curtain”. The Poles and the Hungarians on the John Paul II's impact on the fall of the communist dictatorship in Europe
In Krakow and Budapest on the 40th anniversary of the election of Cardinal Karol Wojtyła as the pope. The Institute of National Remembrance and the Committee of National Remembrance (NEB) organized a scientific conference on 9-12 October "The Pope from behind the Iron Curtain".
Kosice: Meeting of the Speakers of the Parliaments of the Visegrad Group States - report
- We see the future of the European Union as the Union of solidarity countries, the Europe of Homelands, as the Holy Father John Paul II said, and thus a Europe that supports each other in the process of development policy. We expect equal treatment here. We can not be countries, that are recently treated as a second-classed in the Union because our citizens see that - said the Speaker of the Sejm after meeting of the Speakers of the Parliaments of the Visegrad Group States in Kosice, which took place on Saturday, 13th October.
Second day of the Europe of the Carpathians Conference - summary
The signing of a letter of intent in the matter of the organisation of the Polish-Slovak Forum was the main point of the second day of the Europe of the Carpathians Conference, taking place within the framework of the 28th edition of the Economic Forum in Krynica.