POLISH LOBBYING IN BRUSSELS

Magdalena Kopczyńska: I am in permanent contact with regional offices

Małgorzata Molęda-Zdziech: The PKPP office in Brussels has been open since 2000. Has its role changed since May 1, 2004 and if so, how?
MAGDALENA KOPCZYŃSKA: Since we became a member of the European Union, Poland is not only subject to European legislation, but is also realistically able to influence its final shape. Therefore, we need a permanent representation to protect our interests in Brussels. My office still functions as a delegation from the Warsaw PKPP office. In building our representation, we avoided doing everything from scratch and asked our colleagues from other countries, who already operate similar centers, for advice. Prior to accession the office reported to the foreign department. Now we are trying to foster the approach that the EU is no longer a foreign location. The office, which deals first and foremost with European legislation, is part of the department of experts in Warsaw and a majority of its projects are piloted by my colleagues from Poland. However, we are not responsible for mutual contacts or mediation between companies and so on. It is important that all of the activities we undertake in Brussels are reflected in the contacts and positions obtained by Poland. Only a two-tiered approach, on a European and international level, is effective. It may seem that we need to create a Brussels office structure that is identical to international structures. However, no business organization does this, not even the most wealthy, because it doesn’t make any sense – lobbying on European issues must also be conducted in Warsaw.

How open are European institutions to the activity of economic and business organizations?
I believe the European Parliament (EP) is a model of transparency and openness. After registering in the parliament and receiving a pass as a lobbyist, you can gain access almost everywhere: as a rule all commission meetings are open, we have access to the deputies and can provide them with materials or set up a meeting. That is the major difference between the EP and many national parliaments. The European Commission is certainly a very demanding partner. It prepares work plans and outlines activities with respect to concrete legislation. The hardest task is to work on something that doesn’t yet exist. Currently, we are waiting for a detailed plan for the Commission’s work in the next year.

Poland has a strong representation in the EP. Does PKPP take advantage of the presence of Polish deputies? Is their presence felt?
With 54 deputies out of a total 732, we are certainly an important partner for other national federations. For the time being it is hard to say anything more concerning this issue because the EP has only functioned in its new, enlarged format since November when it began working on legislation. Earlier the attention of Eurodeputies was occupied by issues related to the appointment of a new European Commission.

Can you sense a division between old and new members in the EU?
Looking at economic circles, no such division exists. European business speaks with one voice. At the moment concrete objectives are their central focus and not geographic location. For example, discussion concerning the work of a temporary agency or taxes has shown that an entirely different division developed that was expected. We are closer to Slovakia, Estonia and Ireland.

What is the most difficult part of lobbying?
The most difficult and at the same time most interesting aspect of this work is the chance to deal with a little bit of everything. The ability to make new contacts and the desire to learn quickly and consistently about new things are essential. I have a great deal of independence when it comes to organizing and executing my tasks. There are so many issues that sometimes it is difficult to choose.

How would you evaluate the Polish lobbying representation in comparison with those from other EU countries?
In comparison with other representations, particularly those from the other new member states, we come out pretty favorably. Malta and the Czech Republic have centers similar to our and Hungary will open its office soon. We stand out in particular in comparisons that involve regional representations – Poland has more than a dozen and they are very visible and active. I am in permanent contact with regional offices – we talk a lot about cooperation and I hope this will only improve.

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