Last Friday, I had the honor of opening the 19th edition of the prestigious GLOBSEC Forum, held in Prague for the first time. In today’s interconnected world, security and democracy are not solely the responsibilities of governments and institutions; technology companies also play a crucial role. This is why I am pleased to have been involved in the launch of the new Prague GeoTech Summit initiative. I believe that regular and honest dialogue between key figures from politics and business is essential for fostering innovation in Europe, ultimately leading to greater security and prosperity for all of us.
During the forum, I engaged in meaningful discussions with the Presidents of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, Montenegro Jakov Milatović, Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, and Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar about the integration of Western Balkan countries into the EU, which is vital for ensuring stability and peace in Europe. Furthermore, with leaders such as the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, the Marshal of the Polish Sejm Szymon Hołownia, and the Finnish President Alex Stubb, we explored ways to support Ukraine and counter the hybrid war waged by the Kremlin against the Western community.
In the process of strengthening democracy it is crucial to involve not just politicians but also business leaders. That's why I met with representatives from leading companies like Microsoft and Helsing to develop innovation, prosperity, and security for all of us. Technology empowers people and can also be a powerful tool to strengthen democracy.