“Can you imagine, after so many years of globalisation, of building the European Union, it turns out that identity is fundamental? We must do everything to fulfil this principle. United in diversity has always been the principle of the European Union. No one has denied that we are diverse; that is our richness. Our strength.”

“Despite our progress, the Union still has an untapped potential for us - we have reasons to be proud: the country's transparency and the skillful use of EU funds. Today, we Poles have reasons to be proud, and one or two sentences are needed to summarise that period.”

“Still, we must run ahead to create a specific new mechanism, a new chemistry within the framework of the whole of a large Europe, that is to say, the Europe of the prominent market, but at the same time, the large market which: A) can compete, and B) can ensure its safety. This is the great challenge of the next 20 years.”

“For my generation, it was great that we had such a chance to change Poland, to make Poland democratic, to go to the European Union, to NATO, etc. And to see all this, not only see, not only to be witnesses of these changes, but to be the part. Challenge cannot paralyse, it can encourage all of us to do something.”

“We have to be able to innovate our industry, innovate the sources of our well-being, generally speaking, to keep functioning all the necessary rules for society, staying on the open principle for democratic societies.”

“What’s CEE in 20 years time? How we manage assets is going to rely heavily on artificial intelligence. And sustainable investment will become a norm—before 20 years, hopefully. And the businesses will transform themselves really radically. And how? Only time will tell.”

“The EU is about partnership. CEE has contributed a great deal to European growth and we need to remember that. EU membership has helped to create a business environment in CEE that has allowed businesses from the EU to invest and benefit from our markets.”