Europe

Celebrating Poland’s 20 Years in the EU and Solidarity with Ukraine at the Polish Embassy

A Milestone of Unity: Honoring Poland’s EU Journey and Supporting Ukraine

June 26th, 2024
Yana Kurteva, News from Berlin
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This year's celebrations at the Polish Embassy in Berlin were marked by two significant themes: the 20th anniversary of Poland's accession to the European Union and solidarity with Ukraine. The event brought together distinguished guests and highlighted the crucial role of the Podkarpacie region and the city of Rzeszów in supporting Ukraine.

Among the guests of honour were Anna Lührmann, State Secretary at the Federal Foreign Office, along with Michał Kobosko and Paweł Kowal, chairmen of two parliamentary committees in the Polish Sejm. Mr. Kowal also attended in his capacity as Chairman of the Council for Cooperation with Ukraine.

During the celebrations, special recognition was given to the Podkarpacie border region and the city of Rzeszów, celebrating their importance as a logistics hub and as a center for healthy food and green innovation. Rzeszów, designated on April 15th as the site of the Council for Cooperation with Ukraine, plays a vital role in supporting Ukraine.

Ambassador Pawłoś welcomed approximately 300 guests to the reception. The event featured speeches from Anna Lührmann, Paweł Kowal, Michał Kobosko, Teresa Kubas-Hul (President of the Podkarpacie Voivodeship), Konrad Fijołek (representative of the Mayor of Rzeszów), and Robert Homicki (advisor to the Mayor of Rzeszów on business issues).

An exhibition showcasing artworks made from recycled natural materials by Krosno artist Piotr Burger was held within the embassy. The musical program included performances of Polish national songs by singer Maksymilian Skiba and a jazz accompaniment by the Rzeszów-based Krystian Balawender Quartet.

The event was co-organized by the Podkarpacie Voivodeship Presidency and the Rzeszów City Council. Local specialties were generously provided by Podkarpacie Presidency President Wiesław Ortyl, with additional support from Woda Źródlana Iwoniczanka, Tomasz Dudziński's Boskie Źródło Oil Mill, and Jan Bieniasz, who supplied strawberries from his farm in Łąka near Rzeszów.

The celebrations underscored the deepening ties between Poland and its European partners, while also reaffirming solidarity with Ukraine during these challenging times.

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News from Berlin