Speakers from Ukraine, Poland, and Baltic countries to hold security summit
Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, Szymon Hołownia (photo: Getty Images)
At the beginning of June, speakers of the parliaments of Ukraine, Poland, and the Baltic countries will hold a summit on security in the Polish city of Bialystok. The parliamentary leaders intend to confirm unity in the face of threats currently facing the countries, according to Wnp.pl.
Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, Szymon Hołownia, noted that he invited colleagues from neighboring countries to discuss common security issues. The city of Bialystok was chosen for the meeting not by chance.
"We chose this place, where we are so close to the border with Belarus and Lithuania, where both opportunities and threats we face converge, to discuss these matters here, and not constantly in Warsaw," said the Sejm speaker.
According to him, all speakers accepted the invitation to visit Bialystok. During the meeting, the revived cooperation of the partner bodies of local self-government between the countries will be discussed. Hołownia emphasized that the signal sent from the city will be that we stand together.
He emphasized that in times of danger, it is necessary to show that governments support each other and societies support each other. "We must be friends and come closer together as societies," he said.
Responding to a question about whether the June summit is expected to develop some concrete assistance for Ukraine, Hołownia noted that today it is necessary to do not only hard things that the government does but also soft things like parliamentary diplomacy.
"If you don't do these soft things, like meeting each other, opening discussions, convincing people, then there will be no one to vote for governments that do hard things," the speaker emphasized.
He hopes that as a result of the summit, a joint declaration will be adopted, indicating a joint visit by speakers to Ukraine. "You can say: these are symbolic gestures, but these symbolic gestures work," Hołownia said.
Therefore, he added, teams are currently working on the form of the declaration, which is expected to be adopted in June.
Bialystok is Hołownia's hometown. He was born, raised, and educated in school and lyceum there.
Relations between Ukraine and Poland
At the end of April, Polish farmers unblocked all border crossings with Ukraine.
The Polish government has decided to extend the stay of Ukrainian refugees. However, there will be a condition for receiving payments.
At the same time, the Polish government may stop issuing residence permits to Ukrainian military conscripts.
