The Conference of Foreign Affairs Committee Chairpersons (COFACC) held on 4-5 September had as main aim discussing how to enhance the cooperation with the eastern and southern neighbours of the European Union. During the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski presented the current foreign policy under the Polish Presidency of the EU Council.

On 4 and 5 September took place the Conference of Foreign Affairs Committee Chairpersons (COFACC), organised jointly by the Sejm and the Senate as part of the parliamentary dimension of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council. During the conference it was discussed the European Union’s activities within the framework of the Eastern Partnership which is aimed to promote stabilisation and democratisation in the neighbourhood areas, reflecting the solidarity of the European societies with the states that have embarked upon the system transformation process.

The Eastern Partnership is the European Union’s initiative inaugurated on 7 May 2009 in Prague, addressed to its eastern neighbours. The prospect of civilisation leap and achievement of stability and welfare which has opened up for the partner states is to encourage them to modernise their economies and create democratic institutions. The European Union provides the Partnership states not only with experience in developing a civil society, but also with financial support.

In addition, the forms of the partner states’ integration with the European Union include the tightening of bilateral cooperation through measures such as supporting reforms, entering into association agreements, creating free trade zones and visa liberalisation with a view to finally establishing a visa-free regime. Multilateral cooperation is also envisaged on four platforms: democracy, good governance and stability; economic integration and convergence with EU policies; energy security; and contacts between people.