Following up the success of the previous Dwa Bratanki conferences, this year’s forum is to be organised on 26th September 2017, in the Polish Institute in Budapest. As in the prior years, we co-organise our conference with the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) and with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Hungary and the National Cooperation Fund (NEA).

The main goal of this annual series is to enhance foreign policy cooperation between Poland and Hungary through emphasizing the main points of convergence and common interests, while also identifying the roots of the existing differences in order to find potential strategies for their settlement. This year we will focus on the relations with East and the Balkan, with a special focus on the influence of Russia on the partnerships, will try to analyse the possible cooperation on infrastructural and economical connections and will have a debate on the furture of EU, especially in the light of the German elections.

Program:

9:00-9:15     Welcoming remarks

Mr. Dániel Bartha, Executive Director, Centre for Euro-Atlantic Integration and Democracy

Mr. Bartosz Wiśniewski, Head of Research and Analysis Office, the Polish Institute of International Affairs

9:15 – 9:30   Opening Speech

H.E. Mr. Jerzy Snopek, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Hungary

Dr. Balázs Péter Molnár, Deputy State Secretary for European Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office (TBC)

9:30 – 10:45 Panel Discussion: Infrastructural development – real demand and possibilities of cooperation

“Visegrad Connects”. The motto of the Hungarian V4 Presidency is not yet fulfilled when it comes for connecting infrastructure. What should be the priorities for the governments, and where is the untapped potential? What are the growth prospects of Hungary and Poland? How should bilateral economic relations be developed?

Moderator:    Ms. Veronika Jóźwiak, Analyst, PISM

Speakers:       Mr. Łukasz Ogrodnik, Central Europe analyst, PISM

Mr. Wojciech Jakóbik , Biznes Alert

Mr. Marcin Karaskiewicz, Head of Polish Trade Office in Budapest

Representative of Ministry of National Development (TBC)

10:45 – 11:15 Coffee break

11:15 – 12:45 Panel Discussion: Policy towards the East and the Balkans

Dealing with Russia remains a striking geopolitical challenge of the region. Although the Hungarian and Polish approaches differ considerably, so far it has not caused disruption in their bilateral relations. What should be the long-term strategy of Visegrad and Central Europe regarding their neighbourhood? Can we reintroduce the issue of enlargement to the European Agenda?

Moderator:    Mr. Daniel Bartha, Director, CEID

Speakers:       Mr. András Rácz, Board Member, CEID

Mr. András Klein, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Mr. Tomasz Żornaczuk, Head of Central Europe Programme, PISM

Ms. Marta Jaroszewicz, Centre for Eastern Studies

12:45 – 13:45 Lunch

 

13:45 – 15:15 Panel Discussion: Poland and Hungary in the debate on the future of the EU

The EU is experiencing a deep institutional and conceptual crisis. Poland and Hungary are seen as the most Brussels-critical countries. By now there is an open clash between the leadership of these countries and with key Western European countries and the European Commission. Do we have a vision for a strengthened and more effective European Union and how can we contribute to it? Do we have a strategy against a two-speed Europe? How will the result of the German elections affect the pace of Eurozone reform? Is leaving the EU an option?

Moderator: Mr. Bartosz Wiśniewski, Head of Research and Analysis Office, PISM

Speakers:       Mr. István Perger, Deputy Head of Representation of the European Commission to Hungary

Mr. Botond Feledy, Senior Fellow, CEID

Mr. Sebastian Płóciennik, Head of Weimar Triangle Program, PISM

The event is supported by:

Our project patners: