The tragic war in Ukraine is a moment of extremely important reflection on the importance of international cooperation. Therefore – in order to strengthen international unity – local governments signed the International Alliance for Peace and Community in Europe. One of the signatories of the document is the Association of Polish Counties.
The International Alliance for Peace and Community in Europe was signed on July 4 this year in Homburg, Saarpfalz County, Germany. It was initiated by Theophil Gallo – the head of Saarpfalz-Kreis a county in the Saarland. The Saarpfalz Kreis is, as of 2019, a partner county for one of the Polish counties like the county of Łańcut.
The goal of the alliance is strengthening of cooperation between local governments to preserve peace in Europe and care for the well-being of local residents.
The document was signed by local government officials from Henrico County (USA), the Department of Moselle (France), eight local government officials of various levels from Ukraine, the heads of seven counties from Poland (Przemyśl, Jarosław, Lubaczów, Bieszczady, Łańcut, Kraków and Ostrzeszów) and representatives of local government organizations from the mentioned countries. The Polish signatories of the alliance were accompanied by Kazimierz Gołojuch MP for the Sejm of the Republic of Poland – Chairman of the Polish-German Parliamentary Group. On behalf of the Association of Polish Counties, the document was signed by Adam Krzysztoń, starost of Łańcut County and Vice Chairman of the Board of the Association of Polish Counties.
Participants of the meeting were also introduced to the idea and principles of the Bliesgau Biosphere Reserve, which aims to provide environmentally friendly actions for residents throughout the region. A charity concert for Ukraine was also held in Germany. Representatives of German, Polish and Ukrainian local governments also discussed current problems and key challenges. Among the projects planned for the future are an international conference for teachers in Łańcut and school student exchanges between Poland and Germany.