The Philippine Embassy in Warsaw participated in the first-ever Asia Pacific Day recently held in Poland’s Sejm (Parliament) which featured a conference on the relations between Poland and the Asia Pacific region as well as a  cultural event.

   In her welcome remarks, the Marshall (Speaker) of the Sejm Hon. Malgorzata Kidawa-Bionksa stressed that Poland is a good location for Asian investors and  is an ideal gateway to the European market.

   Polish Foreign Minister Grzegorz Schetyna, a key advocate of stronger relations between Poland and the countries of the Asia Pacific region, expressed the hope that the conference would increase the awareness of Polish stakeholders about the new challanges and opportunities which the region presents. He drew attention to the fresh market opportunities which the region’s economic dynamism has opened.

   Internationally renowned analyst Mr. Robert Kaplan stressed that Poland should pay greater attention to Asia because it is the “home of great powers,” has an “international high profile,” and because “traditional geopolitics is being played out there in an era of globalization.” He noted the current regional  tensions due to the competing claims over the South China Sea.

   The conference was followed by a cultural event where country promotion booths were opened to the public and showcased the folk dances of the participating countries. The Philippine Embassy in Warsaw used the event as a platform to promote Philippine tourism, trade and investments. Philippine dried mangoes and promotional bags were the embassy’s “give-aways.”