Central Europe united to take challenge of economic crisis

KATOWICE, Poland, May 15 (Xinhua) -- The three-day European Economic Congress (European Economic Congress - EEC) came to an end on Wednesday.

This is the fifth European Economic Congress, and since its first edition in 2009, it has been organized by PTWP Group SA. The Congress, focusing on topics important to the Polish, European and world economy, attracted some 6,000 participants from the worlds of politics, business, science, and economics both Polish and foreign involving in 100 thematic sessions.

The future of the European Economy and Eurozone turned out to be a keynote in this EEC, with a particular interest in the role of Central European countries in the European Union, the chances of a new opening of Europe to the global competition, cooperation and expansion.

While exchanging views among mainly Polish and other Central European participants, Chinese participants are invited for the second time to attend the II China - Europe Economic Forum.

In 2012, Chinese participants were invited for the first time to join in the EEC discussion. This year EEC had new guests from Africa. The Africa - Central Europe Forum was set up and African representatives from Senegal, Uganda, Angola, Tanzania and Zambia attended the Forum.

The 5th European Economic Congress marked its first day opening by the inauguration ceremony. Janusz Piechocinski, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy of the Republic of Poland, spoke at the opening session:

"The requirement of a thoughtful dialogue between politics and society, employers and employees is crucial from the point of view of building the authority of the state, the credibility of the national and business brand, and also of our openness"

Participation of four prime ministers from Central Europe as well as two current and three former EU commissioners was an evidence of the event's significance. Polish government was represented by over 20 members of minister's rank, reported the local media.

The second China - Europe Economic Cooperation Forum engaged a whole day in the second day of the congress. Representatives from China Development Bank, China Investment Corporation, Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank, enterprises and academic specialists participated in the Forum.

One of the topics at the 5th European Economic Congress in Katowice was energy. "Go global, cooperation, reform, dynamic, competitive, innovative" were among the most used key words in this Forum. The Central European countries are willing to face the challenge of economic crisis together.

The 5th European Economic Congress was considered a forum with the most representative discussion on the future of Europe and the largest business event in Central Europe, reported the local media.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-05/16/c_132384961.htm