During the last two editions of the Wroclaw Global Forum, there were many opinions on the escalation of conflicts and further global problems: the economic crisis, migration, the threat of EU's disintegration. In your opinion, what topics will be discussed most frequently during the 7th Wroclaw Global Forum?
Rafał Dutkiewicz, Mayor of Wroclaw: First of all, the Atlantic Council, which is the main organiser of the Wroclaw Global Forum, has always had good intuition and included Ukrainian and Byelorussian issues in the list of issues analysed during the Forum. From our viewpoint, they have become particularly important since the outbreak of a conflict on the Ukraine and Putin's irresponsible behaviour. The issues of energy safety have accompanied discussions on Transatlantic matters since the beginning. As we can see in the program, this year’s Forum will be mainly a preparation for a NATO summit.
The second topic is formulated straightforwardly: to maintain safe Europe. This matter has many aspects. It refers both to the threat of terror attacks in Europe and things such as Brexit or anticipation who will win the presidential election in Austria. No one can have the slightest doubt that the structure of the European Union is being undermined, and that there is a certain wave of thinking that signals nationalistic tendencies – from Scandinavia to southern Europe. The third topic refers to the development of economy in the 21st century, and it is the safest topic.
Participants in the Wroclaw Global Forum include many politicians, political scientists, commentators from the West, from the USA, and from the other side: Ukraine and Russia. Has the Forum turned Wroclaw into another important place where they have an opportunity to talk and exchange arguments? What is the role of the Wroclaw Global Forum today?
Rafał Dutkiewicz, the Mayor of Wroclaw: As a Central European country, Poland should “sell” its competence concerning the East: Belarus, Ukraine, Russia. I’m not an expert in international affairs, but senator John McCain asked also me about matters concerning Ukraine. From an American point of view, an attempt to look at Europe from a Central European perspective is certainly very interesting. Another aspect that we failed to utilise refers to a relatively weak German presence. On the one hand, we can talk about Eastern issues, but on the other hand, we can try harder to attract Germany as the strongest country in Europe to participate in the Forum.
What benefits does the Global Forum give to Wroclaw?
Rafał Dutkiewicz, the Mayor of Wroclaw: Firstly, it is a small, but very prestigious conference. One of the reasons is that we are visited by influential persons. If so influential persons are satisfied with their stay in Wroclaw, this has a greater impact on the image of the city. Global Forum is a part of the process of inscribing Wroclaw on the map of the world. Several years ago, hardly anyone knew about Wroclaw in Europe, and today we are in the Top 100 of most commonly recognisable cities. The rank of Wroclaw has increased, and we play in a higher league than several years ago. This was possible, to some extent, also thanks to the Wroclaw Global Forum.
