On Monday 28 March 2011, CEI Secretary General, Amb. Gerhard Pfanzelter met Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Poland, Waldemar Pawlak, in order to discuss possible avenues of cooperation between the CEI and the incoming EU Polish Presidency.
Poland has always been a strong supporter of regional cooperation and the CEI. It has demonstrated its firm commitment through active participation, creative initiatives and financial contributions. Poland has also benefitted both from CEI membership as well as from the various CEI instruments such as the Cooperation Fund, the Know-How Exchange Programme, the Science & Technology Network and the University Network.Deputy Prime Minister Pawlak expressed the Polish Government’s high appreciation for the CEI’s crucial role in promoting regional cooperation in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. In view of Poland’s EU Presidency, in the second half of 2011, he proposed a joint initiative: the idea of a Round Table on Regional Cooperation for European Integration was tabled. This proposal will be followed up by experts of the Polish Government and the CEI. Amb. Pfanzelter expressed the CEI’s gratitude for Poland’s support to advance the cooperation between the CEI and the EU.
from left: Amb. Pfanzelter and Deputy Prime Minister Pawlak