EFNI participants welcomed Henry Bochniarz, the Chair of the EFNI Programme Council, Marek Górski, president of the Confederate Leviathan, Maciej Witucki, Chairman of the Leviathan Confederation's Main Council, Magdalena Czarzyńska-Jachim, president Sopotu and Leszek Bonn, Deputy Marshal of Pomerania.
Henry Bochniarz, In welcoming the conference participants, she said that over the years, the EFNI is gaining importance, becoming an extra value. In regular rush we find little and little time for direct meetings and face-to-face conversations. Yet today, in these troubled times, it is worth meeting, exchanging thoughts. A chat can't replace a real conversation.
Marek Górski stressed that, in the coming period, the key task should be to proceed the deregulation processes consistently and to remove bureaucratic barriers which are inactive slowing down the improvement of entrepreneurship. In his opinion, it is equally crucial to strengthen social dialog – both in relations with the government and with trade unions – so as to jointly make solutions conducive to unchangeable economical development.
Maciej Witucki stressed that maintaining a European project, which is simply a strong and integrated European Union, is present the only real warrant of the economical sovereignty of the associate States. In his opinion, Europe is facing a critical minute — a time erstwhile it is essential not only to defend the community from divisions but besides to actively consider how to strengthen it and give it fresh momentum.
The peculiar guest of the EFNI beginning ceremony was General Wiesław Kukuła, Head of the General Staff of the Polish Army. In his speech "Safety of next day – a shared work in a changing world", he said that building and strengthening Poland's defence possible is essential today. Our NATO membership and maintaining good relations with the United States play a key function in this process. He besides stressed the importance of Poland's presence in the European Union, which provides not only political support but besides economical and strategical support. NATO and the EU are the core of Western civilization.
In the context of security, General Wiesław Kukuła spoke about the request to implement an effective deterrence strategy. Its aim is to clearly convince the possible opponent – in this case Russia – that any aggressive action against Poland has no chance of success and will be costly. As he pointed out, deterrence is not simply about military power, but about clearly signaling consequences, making the threat little real and the safety of the country more predictable.
We are conducting unprecedented transformation of the armed forces, presently implementing 150 projects. Their goal is to make a modern and efficient army, which will importantly strengthen Poland's position in the global arena. But the strength of our country is not only shaped by the army, but mainly by the strength of its citizens and the condition of the economy. Modern armaments and trained troops are important, but it is the economy that decides on the real capabilities of the state in defence of sovereignty – said General Wiesław Kukuła.
Security is our shared responsibility. This is not just a substance of state or institution – it is the shared work of all citizens. Modern safety is becoming a basic need, on an equal footing with economical or social security. Whether there will be a war will be mostly shaped by our attitude, our willingness to cooperate, our ability to build resilience and solidarity – he explained.
In the beginning panel “War or Peace?” invited guests discussed concerns, forecasts, strategies and European and Polish defence doctrine in the face of a dynamically changing safety environment of our continent.
Helen Clark, erstwhile Prime Minister of fresh Zealand, expressed concern at the current global situation, stressing that many countries in the planet are at war. “Even countries distant from direct conflicts feel the effects of Russia’s aggression on Ukraine,” she noted.
The attack on Ukraine has caused a sharp emergence in natural materials prices and global trade disruptions that many countries feel. fresh Zealand – despite geographical distance – clearly distances itself from Russia's aggression and actively supports Ukraine," she added.
Germany is trying at all costs to deny that the current situation is critical. Many inactive live in the belief that this does not concern us and that they may feel safe, ignoring the fact that the war in Ukraine started already in 2014. They want to feel safe. But this safety is related to the fact that we are with Russia, not against it," she said. Marieluise Beck, erstwhile Parliamentary State Secretary at the national Ministry of Education, Family, Seniors, Women and Youth.
Marija Golubeva, erstwhile Minister of the Interior of Latvia argued that surviving in countries close to the border with Russia, specified as Latvia, gives a clear sense that Europe is at war.
When you live in Latvia, you feel it almost all day. Threats are not limited to countries in the immediate vicinity of Russia. In many European countries, we are already seeing actions characteristic of hybrid war – cyber attack, sabotage of critical infrastructure, misinformation and political manipulation. And Russia is behind these operations," she added.
According to Jarosław Kuisha, Editor-in-Chief, Liberal Culture, UW, LibMod, the modern planet is characterized by the threat of state sovereignty. We live in a period where uncertainty is simply a constant component of political and social life. In many east European countries, where the memory of historical conflicts is inactive alive, the saying has become popular: “we will be next”, which reflects concerns about possible external aggression. The threats of sovereignty are seen differently in NATO and the European Union.
Panel moderated Prof. Karolina Wigura, sociologist, Institute of Sociology of the University of Warsaw, Liberal Culture, LibMod
Confederation of Leviathan
