US Ambassador Mark Brzezinski “Man of the Year” of the Karpacz Economic Forum
US Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski received the “Man of the Year 2023” award at the Economic Forum in Karpacz. During his speech, he expressed gratitude to Poles for the help they are providing to refugees from Ukraine. He also stressed that “democracy and complex market economies depend not only on free and fair elections, but also on the clarity of the law and the certainty that the law stands above politics.”
On Tuesday, during the Economic Forum in Karpacz, Mark Brzezinski received the “Man of the Year 2023” award.
“The Program Council of the Economic Forum has completed the voting – the Man of the Year 2023 has been chosen by His Excellency Mark Brzezinski – Ambassador of the United States to Poland,” the Forum’s website – stated Sunday on the Forum’s website.
“I am extremely honored to be awarded this prize. I accept it on behalf of the entire team of the American mission in Poland, which numbers 600 people. My colleagues have worked tirelessly to bring aid to the crisis in Ukraine,” Brzezinski said at the beginning of his speech.
“Their work has not been in vain. I am also honored to join such exceptional figures as President Volodymyr Zelenski, former Presidents Lech Walesa and Aleksandr Kwasniewski and Vaclav Havel,” he pointed out.
Mark Brzezinski mentioned that he met with Lech Walesa a few days ago. “As always, he was full of energy and gushed with humor, he pointed out. “All past winners share one universal characteristic: a commitment to democracy, the ability to create the necessary institutions and a coherent vision for the development of their homelands,” he assessed. “They all understood that lasting reforms are not possible without the rule of law,” he added.
“Democracy and complex market economies depend not only on free and fair elections, but also on legal clarity and the certainty that the law stands above politics. The upcoming elections in Poland are a chance to show the world that democracy is doing well, that despite political differences, democracy still reflects the will of the people through free and fair elections,” Brzezinski said.
The ambassador pointed out that this is a very important moment in American-Polish friendship. “For more than 200 years, Americans and Poles have been united by the struggle for freedom and the search for opportunities and possibilities. For more than 200 years, the two nations have been linked by a history of mutual sacrifice for American freedom, sacrifice for Polish freedom,” he stressed.
“Now, in the face of Russian aggression, we are once again united. The response to the war in Ukraine is proving to be one of the momentous moments in the history of the unique American-Polish friendship. We have proven the value of NATO. We have proven that collective defense works,” he assessed.
“As part of NATO, our armed forces keep people safe. We have joined forces to meet the needs of millions of refugees. At this point, I would like to acknowledge the tremendous assistance that ordinary Poles from all walks of life are providing,” he added. Ambassador Brzezinski stressed that the mobilization of Poles to help their neighbors is admired around the world.
Brzezinski: Poland’s role in the reconstruction of Ukraine is particularly important
Looking ahead, the ambassador assessed that “we have great strategic opportunities ahead of us, and we must remain united.” “Poland’s role in the reconstruction of Ukraine is particularly important. This will be a moment of transformation for the entire nation, and it is a huge opportunity for the next generation in Poland,” he said.
Brzezinski explained that this is a chance to “complete the mission” – to ensure that the future of countries like Ukraine and Moldova are firmly anchored in the Western system of values such as democracy, freedom and economic prosperity.
“To effectively lead this effort, Poland’s relations with its allies, the European Union and its partners will be crucial. It is also important to support Ukraine’s economy now, especially through further measures to ensure that Ukrainian agricultural products reach global markets,” he mentioned.
500 events during the Economic Forum in Karpacz
The XXXII Economic Forum in Karpacz began on September 5 and will last until September 7. The motto of this year’s Forum is: “New values of the Old Continent – Europe at the threshold of change.”
Its program includes nearly 500 events, divided into sections, including Digitalization, Man and Culture, Europe in the World, New Economy, New Technologies, Reconstruction of Ukraine, State and Reform, International Politics.
Last year, the title of “Man of the Year 2022” was awarded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.