The EPP-CoR Group today honoured the legacy of Paweł Adamowicz, former Mayor of Gdańsk and former EPP-CoR member who died following a brutal attack during a live charity event in January 2019. Present for the debate was his wife MEP Magdalena Adamowicz.
Magdalena Adamowicz said that we are living in a time in which the spirit, foundation and basic values of the European Union have come under attack. If we want to safeguard our communities, we need to show that without respect for basic values, nationalism, xenophobia, and social exclusion could be taking place in Europe and could threaten democracy. "Democracy is not given to us for ever and we have to care for it." Magdalena Adamowicz pointed out that for Paweł Adamowicz, diversity represents richness in any sense and that human rights such as equality, dignity and freedom are deeply rooted in Christian tradition. "I count on this award in enabling us to convince Europe that freedom and equality will lead to greater cooperation and peace and the greater the diversity, the greater the benefits for our people, cities and states."
Olgierd Geblewicz, EPP-CoR President and President of West Pomerania Region said that Paweł Adamowicz believed in solidarity, support for the most vulnerable people in society, and the promotion of fundamental rights in which the EPP family strongly believes. He added "With the establishment of this Award, the CoR is recognizing all those who work at local level with courage and integrity against intolerance, radicalisation, hate-speech, oppression and xenophobia."
Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk said that the Adamowicz award is important for Gdańsk, Poland and also Europe. She added that the award will be one of the most beautiful and real monuments for Paweł Adamowicz.
Agnès Rampal, Vice President of the Métropole Nice-Côte d’Azur and Vice Mayor of Nice said “Paying homage to Paweł Adamowicz is a humanistic expression of our duty to resist violence in all its forms. His memory should be for us a constant source of reflection and commitment. This is why I warmly welcome the launch of the Paweł Adamowicz award.”
Gaetano Armao, Vice-President of the Sicily Region said that he had formally written to Leoluca Orlando, Mayor of Palermo to name a street in the city for Pawel Adamowicz. Armao said that Paweł Adamowicz is a symbol for democracy and tolerance and recalled how as a mayor he supported minorities and combatted xenophobia and anti-Semitism.
Rafal Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw described Paweł Adamowicz as a symbol for all including those fighting hate speech and division in society or those who try to relegate minorities. He added that the former Mayor was an exemplary person who stood for local authorities. "The award is a clear message from the CoR that we stand for all of these values as we fight for a more pluralistic, open and inclusive society" he concluded.
The "Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award for courage and excellence in promotion of freedom, solidarity and equality" is presented by the CoR, in partnership with the International Cities of Refuge Network, and the City of Gdańsk. The Award establishment will be officially announced on Friday, at 9.15 AM, in the context of the Plenary debate on integration of migrants and the fight against radicalization, with Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs. The purpose of the award is to continue inspiring those who promote equal opportunities, social integration and fundamental rights in the way Paweł Adamowicz defended those values.
