FMA visit to Poland | 26-28 March 2025
VISIT OF THE FMA TO WARSAW
as part of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2025
26-28 MARCH 2025
A delegation of 31 former MEPs from the FMA travels to Poland to promote cohesion in the face of global challenges
The Former Members Association at the European Parliament (FMA) is pleased to announce the visit of an FMA delegation to Warsaw from 26 to 28 March 2025.
The delegation, composed of 31 former Members of the European Parliament from 12 different EU countries, and the United Kingdom, will be led by FMA President and Former President of the European Parliament (1994-1997) Dr. Klaus Hänsch and will participate in a series of official meetings with representatives of the Polish Parliament, the Government and civil society organisations. The FMA Vice-President Monica Baldi, the Honorary Secretary Teresa Riera, the treasurer Jean-Pierre Audy and Board Members Michael Hindley and Paul Rübig will be part of the delegation.
The main objective of this visit is to listen to the priorities of the upcoming Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and to explore ways to address the most pressing issues on the EU agenda. The FMA delegation will be pluralist in terms of political parties, allowing for an exchange of different points of view.
The programme includes meetings with parliamentarians, representatives of the Polish government and key civil society actors at a pivotal moment for the European Union. As Poland prepares to take over the presidency of the Council of the EU, discussions will focus on the major challenges in terms of security, European defence, economic competitiveness and internal cohesion. The FMA delegation will discuss the priorities of this presidency and the strategies that will guide the European agenda with Polish decision-makers, in a context where these issues are essential to the unity of the EU.
The programme includes meetings with Mr Tomasz Grodzki, Chairman of the European Affairs Committee of the Polish Senate, as well as with representatives of the Foreign Affairs Committee, including Mr Grzegorz Schetyna, Chairman of the Committee, and Mr Paweł Kowal, Chairman of the Sejm’s International Affairs Committee. The delegation will also have the opportunity to exchange views with Ms Agnieszka Pomaska, Chair of the Sejm’s European Affairs Committee, and Mr Andrzej Grzyb, Chair of the Defence Committee and member of the European Affairs Committee.
On the government side, the FMA delegation will meet H.E. Adam Szłapka, Minister for European Affairs, to discuss the current challenges of Poland’s European policy and its role within the EU.
The FMA delegation will also have the honour of meeting Adam Michnik, editor-in-chief of Gazeta Wyborcza, one of Poland’s leading independent daily newspapers. A former democratic opposition activist under the communist regime, Michnik is now an influential voice in European public debate. This meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss the state of democracy, freedom of the press and the political challenges in Poland and within the European Union.
The FMA delegation will visit Frontex – the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, where they will meet Ms Aija Kalnaja, Deputy Executive Director for Operations, as well as other representatives of the agency. This meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss Frontex’ role in managing the European Union’s external borders, its missions and its current challenges. The discussions will focus in particular on cooperation with Member States in the context of European Union security.
ABOUT THE FMA
The Former Members Association of the European Parliament (FMA) is made up of over 750 members, from the 27 Member States plus the United Kingdom, who voluntarily offer their experience and expertise to carry out the many activities of the association. With professionalism and passion, the members are committed to strengthening the European and international network of former MPs, to building democracy and to making people understand the functioning and current rules of the European institutions, especially the Parliament. Particularly appreciated are the interventions of the FMA members in seminars, conferences, in cooperation with universities and schools, such as the well-known educational program “EP to Campus”, in study visits and EU Presidency.
PRESS CONTACT
Valerie Raskin
Email: formermembers@europarl.europa.eu – Tel. +32 (0)2 284 07 03
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