During the opening session of the 19th Economic Forum in Krynica, former Prime Minister of Spain Jose Maria Aznar emphasized that in the effect of the crisis in Europe instead of increased protectionism we can expect extension of the area of freedom, openness and readiness to reforms. The President of the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES) emphasized the necessity to preserve our history, which requires us to protect the Christian roots.
Spain will participate for the first time in the Economic Forum in Krynica, which is an important meeting place for the representatives of Central and Eastern European countries.The Forum will be attended, among others, by: José María Nazar, former Prime Minister of Spain, Jerzy Buzek, Chairman of the European Parliament, Aleksander Kwasniewski, former President of Poland and Dich Roche, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ireland. The Economic Forum in Krynica, after more than ten years, has become an important event in the calendar of political and business leaders from Central and Eastern Europe. This year it will be also attended by the representatives of large Spanish companies, including a Member of the Management Board of Iberdrola, Ramon de Miguel.
Edmund Phelps, winner of the 2006 Nobel Prize in Economics and Professor of Political Economy at Columbia University and US Economist, Peter Schiff (L) attend the annual Krynica Economic Forum -known as the 'Davos of the East'- on September 11, 2009. The 19th Krynica Economic Forum opened on September 9 in southern Poland, under the theme of European Solidarity 20 years after the revolution. The organiser of the event - known as the "Polish Davos" is the Institute for Eastern Studies, which is expecting over 1,900 participants from across the world, including politicians, academics, business people, NGO activists and journalists
"We are observing that the quality of assets in Poland's banking system is deteriorating at a faster rate, but the level of these indicators isn't as alarming as in other countries," Polish central bank Governor Slawomir Skrzypek told reporters today at the Economic Forum in Krynica, southern Poland, while commenting on the rating company's report.
I am really very curious to hear the discussions next week at the Economic Forum in the Polish resort of Krynica-a kind of "Eastern Davos." Political and business leaders, mainly Polish, meet there every September to try and catch wind of the trends that will blow in the coming weeks and months. Last year the optimists came out in force and a room full of businesspeople and economists applauded Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk when he stated the country's intention to adopt the euro in 2012. His government has been backpedaling on that resolve ever since. It looks to be a forum for pessimists this year in Krynica-or for careful optimists worried about pronouncing any clear forecasts, such as renowned economist Witold Orlowski. The chief motto that emerges from his writings over the past few months could be stated like this: Every crisis ends one day and growth will come again
The Nobel prize winner Edmund Phelps was very pessimistic about future of the US economy. „I have bad feelings concerning the American economy in the coming decades", said the US economist, a 2006 Nobel prize winner during the Economic Forum in Krynica, which is called the Eastern European Davos. In his opinion the enormous public debt, created as a result of the crisis, is likely to slow down the economic growth in the USA, and the financial sector of the United States must be thoroughly reformed.
Witold Orłowski, the chief economic adviser to a consulting company PricewaterhouseCoopers, said during the presentation of a report on the economic situation in the states of Central-Eastern Europe that although these countries have already gone through the worse period, return to economic prosperity requires great skills and courage in introducing the economic policy. In his view, without the above prerequisites, it will not be possible to restore sustainable growth and competitiveness and leverage new investments.
While 2009 has been a horrible year for the world and mainly for Central and Eastern European countries, Poland has recorded economic growth, as the only EU member state. Poles, for a long time perceived in the region as slow learners in view of a moderate economic growth as compared to their neighbors, could finally be proud of the economic performance of their country during the „Polish Davos" organized in Krynica.
During the Forum in Krynica, Mark Allen from the International Monetary Fund said that IMF's forecasts of the economic results of Poland were too pessimistic. According to Thomas Laursen, a regional representative of the World Bank, Poland has a chance to catch up with Western Europe much faster thanks to the global crisis and exceptionally good economic situation in the country.
Pascal Bonne, the President of Dalkia, a Warsaw-based branch of the energy group Veolia Environment, admitted that foreign companies have less money for investments and, due to fiscal issues, prefer to keep the funds in their countries. Nevertheless, he is very self-confident. „ Poland is a country full of enthusiasm as regards business development". This optimism is shared also by other French entrepreneurs. François Colombié, the President of the Management Board of Auchan Poland and the President of the French Chamber of Trade and Industry in Poland emphasized that the government has published for the first time the strategy of the country until 2030, which demonstrates that Poles have a long-term vision for their country.
Krynica as the European capital. Once in a year, the heart of Central Europe starts beating in Krynica, a small and usually a little sleepy mountain town in Southern Poland. For many years the Economic Forum organized here has welcomed representatives of business, presidents, prime ministers, ministers, experts, economists and journalists from the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Romania, Lithuania, Russia and other countries in this part of the continent.
The credibility of the Polish economy depends on the possibility to maintain control of the budget deficit - said Sławomir Skrzypek, the head of the central bank. The Polish government passed a draft budget, which assumes a deficit at the level of PLN 52.2 billion. „It is a big deficit. The situation is serious„ - said Skrzypek during the XIX Economic Forum in Krynica.
Poland - Spain. So far and so close.
The former Spanish Prime Minister, José María Aznar was one of the participants in the conference, during which he said that Poland can achieve success applying the Spanish model, which is based on discipline on the one hand and flexibility on the other. Before his speech, Aznar emphasized the importance of Polish-Spanish relations, but he expressed also regret that in recent years Poland stopped being a priority for Madrid. The Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski expressed hope that the Spanish government could support Polish aspirations in shaping relations between the European Union and the countries of the former Soviet Union, in the same way as Spain became a link connecting Europe with Latin American countries.
Following Balcerowicz has led to success?
At least such conclusion was drawn by participants in the second plenary session of the XIX Economic Forum in Krynica. - We are all students of Leszek as a matter of fact - stated on behalf of the majority of panellists Mark Allen from the International Monetary Fund. The debate, which was a little nostalgic, tried to answer, what led us to the current situation? Participants in this debate discussed, which decisions had the greatest influence on the present situation in the region's countries - why a few of them had better results, while others worse. The panellists presented their own visions of changes in their countries, referring also to the Polish experience. During this debate, one could clearly see that although Poles complained and had many reservations about their transformations, neighbouring countries saw them as an example at that time.
Economic Recovery in Central and Eastern Europe
The Forum drew participants from governments and businesses across Europe, with a strong focus on Poland and neighbouring Ukraine, Belarus and all of the countries of the EU's new Eastern European Partnership Programme, which is seen as a major achievement of Swedish and Polish diplomacy. The Forum is now firmly on the EU institutional calendar for those seeking to feel the pulse of this vibrant centre of Europe's economy and develop their business network in the New Europe.
Germany - In the beginning of the 1990’s no one dared to dream that the meeting of the then business leaders and politicians from the Eastern block countries would be in a single breath mentioned together with the World Economic Forum in Davos. (…) Krynica has become the most important meeting place of the year for the transformation countries of the former eastern block and the Balkans.
Russia - In recent years, the Economic Forum in Krynica has become a significant event on the European continent. It was possible to create a friendly atmosphere to constructive dialogue within the scope of the Forum. (…) It is not a secret that many barriers need to be removed and stereotypes challenged during the discussion to enable better understanding between the parties speaking in the debate. And it is exactly the reason why international summits are organized – per aspera ad astra.
Belgium - The Young Leaders Forum, in a sense a branch of the big Forum, but an independent one, is a great initiative, which attracts roughly 200 young persons from more than 30 countries from Ukraine to Turkey, generally graduates, who have already been involved to some extent in social or non-governmental activity.
Poland - Many regular participants in Krynica’s Forum emphasize that it is an exceptional meeting place of new Central-Eastern Europe with the West. This is a place where you can discuss issues, which have not been touched on anywhere else, such as perspectives of the development of Central European stock exchanges, regional energy security or regional culture. (…) Such debates – although about Europe, but with emphasis on the regions – seem to be the best method for further growth of the Forum in Krynica.
France - In Krynica spa the annual economic forum is taking place (...) Krynica has become the symbol of Poland's ambitions to be recognized as the valuable regional force in the new enlarged European Union. Eight months before the EU accession the Polish leaders, in three days, were multiplying meetings with their counterparts from neighbour countries to review the new European situation. The Krynica meeting is the opportunity for Poland to measure its role. The conference results in numerous contacts of business representatives but also lets Ukrainian and Belarusian leaders, both those in power and remaining in opposition, to arrive, speak up and feel the pulse of the changes in Central Europe. (...)
Great Britain - (...) But a more combative atmosphere in the EU may yet be a good thing if it leads the new members to toughen themselves up, economically and politically. How to do those things was one main theme of the recent annual Polish Economic Forum in the ski-town of Krynica. The talk there showed that central Europeans have more confidence in their economic competitiveness than in their political readiness. Though poor, they reckon they have more flexible economies and more growth potential than their neighbours to the west. They are keen to adopt the euro, the EU's common currency, though they see that they may have to wait a while yet. The Poles, Hungarians and Czechs are running budget deficits that will have to be cut by half or more to meet euro-zone rules. That will be politically hard, especially if the zone's biggest countries (eg, France and Germany) run excessive deficits without being penalised. (...)
Great Britain - Nearly 1200 businessmen, politicians and scientists inaugurated the four day XV Economic Forum in Krynica. Lech Walesa, prime minister Marek Belka, Tadeusz Mazowiecki and Italian cardinal Renato Martino spoke of the challenges that Europe has to face. Mazowiecki emphasized that not only Europe's success in a global context is important - it needs to guarantee values and relate to its traditions in order to maintain an identity. Papal Iustat et Pax committee chairman Martino spoke of the importance of truth, freedom, solidarity and responsibility in politics, economy and science. Marek Belka reminded everyone that despite a crisis of moral values and a slow rate of economic growth, Europe remains the largest economic region and the strongest exporter in the world. The inaugurations atmosphere was dampened by news of the political crisis in Ukraine due to which neither president Juszczenko nor prime minister Tymoszenko could make it to the forum.
Leopold Unger
Belgium - In 2005 I was in Krynica for the 6th, and certainly not the last, time. During the past 15 years, the Krynica Forum has become a very "in" place, where it is worthwhile to be. Usually, the Forum is open and full of VIPs (…) The 2005 event had some unique "luck": the news arrived in the course of the Forum of the collapse of the "orange" government in Kiev, and of the agreement reached "perfidiously" behind Poland's back between Moscow and Berlin, and as if someone had foreseen these events, there were more than 100 Ukrainians and several dozen energy experts present (…)
Poland - The earth was shaking in Kiev and Warsaw, but the biggest vibrations were recorded by seismographs in Krynica. (…) The Forum in Krynica, the biggest political salon in the region, a 'very in' place, such a 'vanity fair', where one needs to make an appearance, and where no judgments or decisions are made, but - and here finally everyone agreed - in order to be able to make decisions, it is worth to meet once again next year. In a slightly different makeup …
Gazeta Wyborcza, Leopold Unger
The strength and point of Krynica is an open discussion (...) This year's 13th Economic Forum in Krynica was better and better yet, remaining one of the best ... political ideas. It has been particularly effective measure serving neighbour communication and properly placing Poland in the region throughout its mainly economic pedagogical programme and professional report on transformation (high level analyses of political and economic situation in a dozen of countries) (...)
Poland - The Economic Forum was held for the first time in the beginning of the 1990's as a meeting of Polish business people and politicians with partners from behind the eastern border. Later, it was supposed to be a conference uniting the whole Central and Eastern Europe. Today, it has gone beyond the frames of a regional conference. (...) Last year the forum had welcomed for the first time a quite large group of guests and journalists from the then "15". This year many more of them arrived in Krynica. However, the visit of politicians and businessmen from Arab states was a special event (...) The participants include more and more representatives of western companies and institutions. In Krynica, they have opportunity to meet more numerous groups of potential partners from the East than at other conferences, which has been a strong advantage of the forum.
A novelty of this year's forum is participation of representatives of Arab states, who arrived from Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Yemen, Egypt and Morocco. (...) The guests from these countries are particularly active during the discussion devoted to the power sector and situation in the oil market. The East and the West are interested to listen to their remarks. Power sector is a focus of special attention here. Nobody in Krynica expects that any contracts will be concluded, because this meeting of the East with the West serves mutual understanding in the first place.
Dzerkalo Tyznia
Ukraine - The XIV Forum featured a discussion on the future development of relations, following the EU entry of several post-communist countries, an issue that is special and extremely important for Ukraine. (...) For Kwa¶niewski - something he has repeated in Krynica at every opportunity - one of the main objectives, after Poland's accession to the European Union, will be to open the doors to Europe for those countries that remain behind them, above all for Ukraine.
A man with money is a man who seeks convenience - he will not travel to the mountains in September. So there must be something unique at Krynica's Economic Forum that this spa resort in Beskid S±decki attracts at this time of year more than 1,000 very busy men (and several women). Solving this mystery does not deserve an entire article; however, we at Forbes are interested in the financial condition and the morale of the management elite. And in this sense, the Krynica Forum is the most accurate barometer in the country. Guests come to Krynica not only for the panel discussions (…) because without doubt the Forum is an excellent place to establish new contacts and exchange ideas. Each year there are more and more "high ranking" executives at Krynica, and interesting experts, especially from abroad (…)
Netherlands - The diversification of gas delivery to Central Europa did not seem the most thrilling topic on the program of the Economic Forum in the Polish spa Krynica, but the attendance in the restauration room of the Kuurhuis told a different story. The topic has gained importance since two weeks ago the Russian gas company Gazprom and its German partners E. ON Ruhrgas signed a contract about the construction of a pipeline on the bottom of the Baltic Sea. In Poland the prospect of a direct connection between Russia and Germany has provoked nervous reactions. (...)
Poland - The heritage of the Economic Forum is difficult to measure; since this is not a trade fair (...) .The political class defines at such meetings the level of trust to their countries, which is necessary at making investment decisions by businesses. It just so happens that in the region, which is the focus of Krynica Forum, there are exceptionally close links between political decisions and climate for entrepreneurship. Incidentally - the weakest point of the Forum is systematic marginalization of its importance by the Kremlin.
Mlada Fronta DNES
Czech Republic - A higher economic growth can help in fulfilling the criteria of membership in the Euro zone - stated Deputy Prime Minister Martin Jahn during the Economic Forum, which has been organized by Poles each year in Krynica spa as their own "little Davos" [...] In a similar spirit, the Polish minister of the economy Jerzy Hausner gave a speech about a tactics of getting out of debt during a joint public debate on the subject of repairing public finances.
Poland - (...). This year the organizers tried to balance between political, economic and social topics. The last, ignored before, played an important role this time. And so tumour fighting, AIDS plague, ethics in business have been discussed, and relationship between Islam and the rest of the world has been considered. During tens of sessions the participants reflected the variety of economic aspects, both in micro and macro perspective. (....)
Izwiestia
Russia - During the Forum numerous Russian experts expressed their opinions while bringing up the topics of foreign affairs, dangers resulting from Russia's accession in the WTO, civil society building and economy. (...) The Forum succeeded and one should expect it to be continued as the Eastern European Davos.
Vilaggazdasag Hungary
Hungary - Not only is Krynica a popular Polish spa. The Economic Forum, annual event organized here, makes the place also recognized abroad. This year 1300 prominent representatives of the political, economic and financial world attended the Forum on behalf of 20 countries of the region. For the first time held in 1992, the Economic Forum has become the most prestigious meeting place of political and economic elites of the region. To put it into the words expressed by Polish Prime Minister Leszek Miller "it grew up to become the regional substitute of Davos Economic Forum."
Germany - Heads of government Jerzy Buzek, Victor Orban, Milos Zeman and Mikulás Dzurinda signed a joint statement in Krynica in which they emphasised the significance of a "knowledge-based economy" in the growth of the region of the whole continent. They also made reference to similar declarations by the Prime Ministers of Germany, Great Britain, Sweden and Denmark and proposed to these countries to create a network supporting the exchange of experience.
Moskovskiye Novosti (Russia)
Russia - The XV Economic Forum, which took place in the Polish spa resort of Krynica-Zdrój, has come to an end. The Forum long ago gained fame as the "Polish Davos" and as the main economic congress in the area of Central and Eastern Europe (…) Among more than 100 panel discussions, the majority concerned business and finance. Representatives of the European states discussed issues such as e-administration and the future of pension funds, the development of energy supplies and the scope of state participation in the economy; however, all these debates remained in the shadow of the political agenda. This direction was given by Lech Wa³êsa, who stated that the call for the acceleration of economic development was a statement of the 20th century, while the 21st century is characterized by other issues: solidarity among people, a commonly-agreed moral code, and the value of the individual.
Poland - Around 1,300 prominent representatives of the world of politics, finance and business from over 30 countries took part in the event held in early September. Organized since 1991 by the Institute for Eastern Studies Foundation, the Forum in Krynica has become the most important meeting place for the political and economic elites of Central and Eastern Europe. Present at the Forum were heads of state and government, ministers and presidents of the largest companies and financial institutions.
