The discussion about the role and meaning of the cooperation between Gdańsk and Scandinavian countries, as well as building of a strategic partnership element on the North-South axis in the form of Poland’s cooperation with the states of Scandinavia – these are the main topics of the Jagiellonian Club’s meeting in Olivia Business Centre, which was held on the July 4.

The meeting was led by Bogusław Wieczorek, the representative of the Jagiellonian Club in Gdańsk, while Krzysztof Mazur, PhD, President of the Jagiellonian Club, opened it with his speech.

Next, Adam Balcer, the author of the Jagiellonian Club Analysis Centre’s report: “Turn to the North! Opportunities and obstacles in cooperation with Scandinavian countries”, presented the main theses of his publication concerning strategic analysis of the importance of Poland, Pomerania and Gdańsk in this context.

Poland should establish strategic partnership with the countries of the Nordic Council as its natural allies – said Balcer – Taking such a course results from the changes taking place in Europe and in the world: strengthening the cooperation between euro-zone countries, growing importance of Russia, as well as Poland’s need to make a “modernisation jump”.

Balcer also noticed that recently Poland has intensified its cooperation with Scandinavian countries. However, if we compare it with the cooperation with the Visegrad Group countries, this relation still remains in the shadow. Meanwhile, there are many reasons not to neglect Scandinavian direction – for example cooperation in the scope of innovation, in energy sector or administration.

The next subject on the agenda was a discussion panel held by Marcin Kędzierski, PhD, the Programme Director of the Jagiellonian Club Analysis Centre. The conversation revolved around the question about the role which Gdańsk should play in opening Poland up to Scandinavia, as well as challenges which will be waiting for Pomerania and Gdańsk in the nearest future, when it comes to the cooperation with Scandinavian countries.

The following guests took part in the discussion: Andrzej Bojanowski – former Vice President of Gdańsk for economic affairs (2009-2017), Maciej Grabski – Olivia Business Center’s investor in Gdańsk, Magdalena Markiewicz, PhD – an associate dean of the Faculty of Economy at the University of Gdańsk for the development and business cooperation, Michał Stąporek – Deputy Editor in Chief of Trójmiasto.pl. The representatives of local and regional authorities, as well as representatives of academic circles and business were also invited to the discussion. Participants paid special attention to the significance of closer relations with the representatives of Baltic Sea region countries on many levels. Emphasis was also put on the significance of the exchange of knowledge and experience in the scope of education and innovation in business and tourism.

„Turn to the North!” report is fully available here.

The Jagiellonian Club – a Polish association and social-political think tank with conservative and republican profile, established in 1989 in Cracow. The Club aims at supporting and spreading the republican way of thinking about Poland and world. The organisation was established in 1989, shortly after finishing the Round Table Talks, and it acquired legal personality in 1994. Currently, the Club is a Polish nationwide organisation, which conducts educational, expert, journalistic activities and implements civil political initiatives.

In its activities the Club refers to the heritage of First and Second Republic of Poland, the “Solidarity” movement and Christian thought and philosophy. According to the Preamble of Articles of Association, the mission of the Jagiellonian Club is to act for welfare and benefit of the Republic of Poland, as well as to multiply spiritual, intellectual and political heritage of Poland, taking care of common good, justice, responsibility, entrepreneurship and respect for tradition and religion.

Expert activity within the scope of the Jagiellonian Club Analysis Centre is conducted in a spirit of respect for four fundamental values: freedom, ownership, community and tradition.