Meeting with the chairman of the Czech Chamber of Deputies

Inter-parliamentary cooperation and the current situation in Europe were discussed by Sejm Speaker Marek Kuchcinski and chairman of the Czech Chamber of Deputies Jan Hamáček. The meeting was also attended by Izabela Kloc, chairwoman of the European Union Affairs Committee, Grzegorz Janik, head of the Polish-Czech Parliamentary Group, and Grazyna Bernatowicz, Polish ambassador to the Czech Republic. This was the first item on the agenda of today's visit to the Vltava River.

During the meeting, the politicians discussed bilateral relations between the Polish Sejm and the Czech Chamber of Deputies. The Sejm Speaker stressed that the Czech Republic has been invariably one of the most important political partners for Poland for years. - There are many topics for meetings and cooperation," said Speaker Kuchcinski. He also stressed that Poland looks at the Czech Republic through a historical prism. - It is thanks to the Czechs that eleven centuries ago Poland entered the ranks of the countries of Christian Europe," the Sejm Speaker said. As he added - this is an important event for Poland. The Speaker also invited the President to the April celebration of the 1050th anniversary of the Baptism of Poland in Poznań. Marek Kuchcinski said that this is the first celebration that the Polish state is organizing jointly with the Church.

The talks also addressed the issue of cooperation within the Visegrad Group (V4). As Speaker Kuchcinski stressed, Poland is keen to strengthen relations in this format. The Speaker suggested that the parliamentary chambers of the V4 countries should also strengthen mutual relations at the level of committees or teams. Such bodies as, for example, committees on the Visegrad Group, according to Speaker Kuchcinski, could improve the exchange of information between the countries' parliaments. The politicians also discussed the current Czech presidency of the Visegrad Group. Chairman Hamáček presented proposed topics for the next meeting within the Group. This July, it is Poland that will take over the presidency of the Group and, as the Speaker of the Sejm noted, it will continue its efforts to strengthen cooperation.

The politicians also discussed current European issues, including the migration crisis and threats to the Schengen area. As they stressed, answers to these challenges should be sought within the framework of enhanced cooperation among V4 countries. - We can have a greater impact on stabilizing the situation in Europe if we speak with a common voice," Marshal Kuchcinski said. He also stressed that Poland and the Czech Republic share similar positions on many European issues.

The meeting also addressed issues related to improving communications, including infrastructure between Central and Eastern European countries.

During the meeting, the heads of the Polish and Czech Chambers also discussed the possibility of holding another joint meeting of the Presidiums of the Sejm and the Chamber of Deputies. It was tentatively proposed for the beginning of June this year. The first meeting in this bilateral formula was held last year in Gdansk. The purpose of the meetings is, among other things, to deepen the dialogue between the two Chambers and discuss current issues.

After the meeting, the Speaker of the Sejm inscribed himself in the memorial book.

During a joint press conference summarizing the meeting, Marshal Kuchcinski stressed that he was very pleased with the meeting with Chairman Hamáček. He added, the Czech Republic is one of the most important partners for Poland - neighbors for many generations. He added that such cooperation is supported by such aspects as common history, neighborhood and geographic location, among others.

The Polish delegation also held a meeting with representatives of the Czech-Polish Parliamentary Friendship Group. - Our meeting is of a friendly nature," said group chairman Vaclav Kluczka during the talks. He noted that in this term of the House the group is the most numerous ever, and currently has 27 members. He added that many of them come from border areas. Chairman Kluczka also stressed that the group's members work in many different committees, making bilateral cooperation with Poland multifaceted.

The delegations also discussed the anniversary celebration of Poland's adoption of baptism. As Chairman Kluczka stressed, the parliamentary group is also interested in participating in this important event.

Grzegorz Janik, chairman of the identical committee in the Polish parliament, said that the Polish-Czech Parliamentary Group was established on February 26, 2016, as one of the first in the new term of the Sejm. As he stressed, it will support activities in the field of European policy, major national projects such as Via Carpathia and the Oder-Elbe-Danube canal, and work to strengthen mutual relations in economic and cultural fields, among others.

Meeting with the President of the Czech Senate

During his visit to the Czech capital, Sejm Speaker Marek Kuchcinski and his delegation also held a meeting with Czech Senate President Milan Štěch.

During the talks, the politicians expressed satisfaction with the very good Polish-Czech relations. As Marshal Kuchcinski stressed, relations between our countries are a priority and strategic. - Poland and the Czech Republic are connected by common roots," the Speaker said.

In the context of current affairs, politicians discussed infrastructure projects, mainly investments. - It is worthwhile for our parliaments to support the policies of our governments so that they can complete the projects already started as soon as possible, the Speaker said.

Delegations from the Polish Sejm and the Czech Senate also discussed cooperation within the Visegrad Group. The Sejm Speaker stressed that in the face of current crises, the most important thing remains responsibility for the future and the security of citizens. As he pointed out, thanks to our neighborhood, Polish-Czech cooperation in the Visegrad Group formula is natural.

The meeting also touched on current European policy issues, including the migration crisis. Chairman Milan Štěch stressed that he is pleased that Poland and the Czech Republic are also speaking with a common voice on this issue.

The Czech side also pointed out that on European issues, national parliaments should use more of the instruments provided by the Lisbon Treaty, including, for example, the orange card procedure. It was stressed that it is important to be consistent in terms of decisions taken.

The delegations also expressed satisfaction with past cooperation at the level of the European Union Affairs Committee. They also exchanged views on the future of the EU and potential changes to its structures in the event of a possible British withdrawal from the Union.

Meeting with Polonia

During his visit to Prague, Sejm Speaker Marek Kuchcinski met with representatives of the Czech Polish community at the Polish embassy.

The Speaker thanked Poles for maintaining ties with the Polish language and culture and for the work they put in for the Polish community in the Czech Republic. Marek Kuchcinski stressed that Polish-Czech relations could be a model in Central and Eastern Europe. - We would very much like to support all your activities," the Speaker said. He also added that he would like to talk about issues important for the Polish community. - It is our duty to support Poles abroad as well," Marek Kuchcinski stressed.

During the joint conversation, representatives of the Polish community in the Czech Republic talked about Polish education, among other things. - This is an important issue for us because of the future of our minority," they pointed out. Poles from Zaolzie also talked about projects implemented for students - including the "Green School on the Baltic Sea."

The meeting also addressed issues related to the activities and problems of the Polish media. There are two main Polish-language titles published in the Czech Republic: the monthly "Zwrot" and "Głos Ludu." Both are supported in part by funds from the Ministry of Culture. The publishers have asked the Speaker of the Sejm for support in raising new funds to subsidize organizational structures.

Participants in the meeting also highlighted cultural activities, which also need more financial support. As emphasized during the discussion, it is culture that is an important link between societies and a significant channel of information. It was also pointed out that spreading culture and traditions is an investment in the future.

Representatives of the Polish Business Organization spoke about their activities on behalf of Polish companies and entrepreneurs in the Czech Republic. As they emphasized, they take care of the good image of Polish business, Poland and Poles - they organize, among other things, sports tournaments and informal meetings of entrepreneurs.

The meeting was also an opportunity to talk about the daily life and problems of Poles living in the border areas.

According to the Polish Embassy in Prague Czech Republic - based on the 2011 census. - nearly 40,000 people declared Polish nationality, and more than 18,000 held Polish citizenship. Nearly 50,000 then declared Polish to be their native language. Poles reside in the Czech Republic mainly in Zaolzie.

Poles are the second largest national minority in the Czech Republic and have representatives on the Council for National Minorities. The rights of minorities in the country are defined, among other things, by the Law on Minorities and the Agreement between the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic and Poland on Good Neighborliness, Solidarity and Friendly Cooperation.

The largest Polish organizations in the Czech Republic include the Congress of Poles in the Czech Republic and the Polish Cultural and Educational Association. There is also the St. Hedwig School Consultation Point at the Embassy in Prague. Children attending this facility are taught there (as supplementary classes) Polish language and history, among other things.

A meeting with the Polish community concludes today's visit by Sejm Speaker Marek Kuchcinski to the Czech Republic. Earlier, he held talks with the presidents of: Chamber of Deputies Jan Hamáček, Senate Milan Štěch and the Czech-Polish Parliamentary Friendship Group Vaclav Kluczka. The Speaker also laid flowers on Vaclav Havel's grave and at monuments to Jan Palach and Ryszard Siwiec. During the visit to the Czech Republic, the Speaker was accompanied by the Chairwoman of the Committee for European Union Affairs Izabela Kloc and the head of the Polish-Czech Parliamentary Group Grzegorz Janik. Polish Ambassador to the Czech Republic Grazyna Bernatowicz also participated in the meetings.

Photo: Pawel Kula