Speech by the Executive Vice-president Fitto at the EU Eastern Border Regions High-Level Conference in Białowieża, Poland

European Commission -Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by the Executive Vice-president Fitto at the EU Eastern Border Regions High-Level Conference in Białowieża, Poland Warsaw, 26 June 2025 Opening remarks Minister Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, dear Katarzyna, Dear Ministers, National and regional representatives, Ladies and gentlemen, It is an honour to open this high-level conference today in Białowieża, together with our hosts from the Polish Presidency. In particular I would like to thank Minister Pelginska Nalez. Dear Katarzina, we are at the end of the Polish presidency. It was a great pleasure to work with you. We can be proud of the results that we achieved together. In particular regarding cohesion policy. No-where the strategic context following the invasion of Russia against Ukraine is more tangible than along our eastern border. These regions are deeply important to the Commission – and supporting them is one of my priorities from the very start of my mandate. Today, I address you on a matter of great importance. I start from a fundamental concept: The eastern border regions do not represent national borders but they are European borders. Our action in these regions plays a key role to defend our common European values. Our duty is to ensure that the people in these regions feel safe, protected, and supported with opportunities for good jobs, quality education and services. Our goal, written in my mission letter, is to guarantee...