Citizens' Dialogue in Chrzanów with Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska

At a Citizens' Dialogue on the opportunities for further development of the town of Chrzanów and Western Lesser Poland, Commissioner Bieńkowska, MEP Róża Thun and the Mayor
of Chrzanów, Robert Maciaszek, discussed with re-presentatives
of the Polish parliament, local government, entrepreneurs, NGOs and citizens about the advantages of Polish membership in the European Union, rule of law principles and the country’s image abroad. 

Participants asked questions about the principles of democracy and the rule of law, European values, the Polish position and image in the European Union, the influence of foreign factors on Polish media,
and the concrete size of European support for national investments.

On the rule of law, participants wanted to know what aspects of the rule of law Poland had violated according to the EU, and how such violations would be punished. 

Another issue that participants brought up was the benefits the EU had brought to Poland, especially in terms of belonging to the single market. In their replies, all speakers strongly highlighted the undeniable advantages of Poland’s EU membership such as lower prices
and a wider range of imported products, as well as opportunities to study abroad and reduced call fees (roaming). 

‘The European passport is the most valuable passport in the world, because it leads to the single market of over 500 million people. It is crucial also for Polish entrepreneurs who can trade and provide their services abroad’, Commissioner Bieńkowska stated.

She also pointed out that the European Union is currently working
on providing equal product quality in all Member States. 

Furthermore, the town mayor, Robert Maciaszek, stressed the relevance of the European funds for places like Chrzanów and for local entrepreneurs, especially in the context of the support provided to small and mediumsized enterprises, which enables new tracks
of development. However, as he pointed out, the current image of Poland has a negative impact on these efforts. 

Commissioner Bieńkowska highlighted the significance of the forthcoming European elections. As she noticed, all decisions made
in Brussels influence lives of all present.

According to her, the scale of EU funding in Poland recently has not been getting enough coverage, while a vast majority of big governmental projects (e.g. new roads) benefit from EU funds.