This year’s 5th European Economic Congress (EEC) will take place in a different Europe than that of its previous editions. The problems related to economic slowdown have unveiled new scope for debate on where and at what pace the European project is heading.
“The European Economic Congress is just that kind of a fully open debate forum available for those who have the common European future at heart. Here, during the three days rich in events, this one common space will be the arena of confrontation between the views and opinions expressed by the most prominent European politicians who decide on the future of the European Union and the arguments of those who are directly responsible for economic growth and the development of civilization – those who invest, produce, take active part in the job market and create new value in science, economy and social life” – said Wojciech Kuśpik, initiator of the EEC and chairman of the board at PTWP Group SA.
The major subject areas of the European Economic Congress 2013 will include the issues related to the potential factors that could stimulate the growth of the European economy and the stability of the Eurozone, as well as the future of the common energy and climate policy of the EU. The exchange of views during the EEC will also include the role of Central European countries in the European Union, as well as the chances of a new opening of Europe to the global competition, cooperation and expansion.
The 5th European Economic Congress in Katowice will take place between May 13-15, 2013, one and a half months before the end of the Polish presidency of the Visegrád Group (V4). As part of this event, a meeting of V4 ministers of economy will be held in an extended format, in order to encompass the Baltic Countries, Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia.
The events presented in the format of special days play an important part in the agenda of the European Economic Congress 2013. These will be: the 2nd China – Europe Economic Forum and the Africa – Central Europe Forum. Africa gains increasing interest as the continent that continues to develop in the time of global recession, with the predicted economic growth level that would exceed 7 per cent a year. Recently, the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Poland has inaugurated the Go Africa programme which aims at supporting export and foreign expansion of Polish entrepreneurs in African countries.
The Africa – Central Europe Economic Cooperation Forum to be held during the 5th EEC will be attended by persons involved in the cooperation with African countries, investors, representatives of business organizations, politicians and specialists in the field of international relations, as well as delegates from such countries as Algeria, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania and Uganda.
The subject area of the European Economic Congress 2013 also includes the key issues for the future of such fields of economy and public life as: energy, finance, mining, local authorities and the regional policy, infrastructure, transport, construction and real property, automotive industry, and innovations.
“We invite you to attend the 5th European Economic Congress in Katowice. It is worth registering right now. Do not wait for the last moment. We expect to host six thousand participants, both from Poland and from abroad” – Wojciech Kuśpik added.
The group of special guests of the EEC 2013 will include, among others: Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Minister of Regional Development of the Republic of Poland; Jerzy Buzek, Member of the European Parliament, President of the European Parliament between 2009-2012, Prime Minister between 1997-2001; El Hadji Malick Gakou, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Informal Sector of the Republic of Senegal between 2012-2013; Horst Köhler, President of the Federal Republic of Germany between 2004-2009, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund between 2000-2004, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development between 1998-2000; Martin Kuba, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic; Aleksander Kwaśniewski, President of the Republic of Poland between 1995-2005; Janusz Lewandowski, EU Commissioner for Financial Programming and the Budget; Ivan Mikloš, Member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance of Slovakia between 2010-2012; Jaroslav Neverovič, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Lithuania; Olusegun Obasanjo, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 1999-2007, Founder of the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation; Andris Piebalgs, EU Commissioner for Development; Janusz Piechociński, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of the Republic of Poland; Janez Potočnik, EU Commissioner for the Environment; Matti Vanhanen, Prime Minister of Finland between 2003-2010, Managing Director of the Finnish Family Firms Association; Birute Vesaite, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania; Varujan Vosgania, Minister of Economy of Romania.
For further information on the European Economic Congress, please visit www.eecpoland.eu
text source: press office of EEC