BUSINESS

Better To See Something Once

Than to Hear About It a Hundred Times

Members of “The Left” political faction of the European parliament visited Ostrava in early October

of this year. This visit was proposed by fellow MEP Kateřina Konečná in the wake of Czechia receiving

the Presidency of the Council of Europe. During these so-called “Study Days,” visiting MEPs had

a chance to familiarize themselves with the Moravian-Silesian region, and understand some of the

most resonant and currently discussed topics. We asked Kateřina Konečná herself for the details.

Kateřina, what sort of event is this?

Each European parliament member gets

an opportunity to organize meetings and

conferences for the members of their faction

during their country’s term of presidency.

These events provide detailed recounts of

how European grant funds are being used

within the country. At the same time, this

also gives local specialists from different

fields the opportunity to get acquainted

with MEP’s from different committees and

commissions, therefore giving them a link

to the people partaking in the drafting of

European legislature, which eventually has

an effect on member countries themselves.

What topics have you prepared for your

colleagues?

I am always in contact with people within

the region, so I have a good picture of current

events here. This is why I wanted to present

my colleagues with what we have managed to

accomplish and what sort of vision we have for

the future. The first conference was centered

around the restructuring of our region

through the use of EU funds. Presenters here

included political, university and industrial

company representatives. The second

conference discussed the topic of alternative

energy sources, and included a closer look at

possible future uses of hydrogen. We are also

open to debates regarding current energy

sources the region makes use of. I would

be happy to constructively discuss potential

opportunities, but also the possible negative

effects of the energy crisis and any solution

options.

Have you already received any feedback

from your colleagues?

Yes, and it has all been very positive. My

colleagues are also tackling the uneven

development of regions within their

own countries and searching for the best

approach to the mining of mineral resources

with respect to the citizens. Their countries

are also passionately discussing optimal

energy distribution, energy prices and new

technologies. All of these subjects were

examined at theconferences here. I am

glad that those who accepted my invitation

have a professional understanding of these

topics and are able to understand our

views on them.

How will this event play into your next

actions?

Of course, this event is one of the of many

activities I concern myself with in the region.

I would be happy if local participants would

accept my invitation to Brusself or Strasbourg,

where we can work together to find ways in

which we can turn what we talked about

into a reality, not only as far as funding is

concerned, but within the broader context

of our region’s development, as well. People

who know me personally know that I never

give up. As a MEP, I am prepared to take part

in improving not only the Moravian-Silesian

region, but the entirety of our country as well.

Thank you for the interview. On behalf of

the magazine, I wish you much success in

your further efforts for the development

of our region.

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