Algeria is our third major trading partner among Arab countries and second in Africa, behind South Africa. Poland has recorded an increase in trade turnover with countries outside Europe also because while having our own attractive products, we at the same time appreciate the attractiveness of foreign goods – said deputy prime minister Janusz Piechociński while opening Algerian craftsmanship days. Algerian Ambassador, HE Salah Lebdioui, ambassadors of Morocco and Cuba, as well as dr Małgorzata Bonikowska, CIR's president, took part in the event.

The first independent Republic of Georgia, created on 28 May 1918, was a European country, with democratic institutions, elected parliament, non-violent foreign policy, gender equality and social responsibility. These values had not been destroyed by years of totalitarianism, despite repressions and the merciless suppressing of numerous patriotic uprisings. Today, when Georgia is again an independent country, we declare that we are an integral part of Europe – said Nikoloz Nikolozishvili, Georgian Ambassador to Poland, during the Independence Day reception with CIR's participation.

Last year’s 600th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Poland reminded us of the times our countries were close to each another. It is via Turkey that Poland was discovering "Oriental flavours", and the Ottoman Empire, struggling against Poland, was learning Europe. The motto of the celebrations – "Old friends, new leaders" – rightly focuses upon the present. Poland and Turkey do possess a potential and are leaders in their regions – said Małgorzata Bonikowska, CIR's president, during a meeting with representatives of Turkish universities, working upon a project "Turkish-Islamic culture and civilisation in the Balkans and further".

The Indian Union consists of 29 states, 7 territories, and over 1,2 billion people, whereas the European Union comprises 28 states and over half a billion citizens. Despite geographic and cultural distance, we have many things in common. One of them is being faithful to democracy. We are also facing common challenges such as providing possibilities of growth to the young people, as well as appropriate education – said dr Małgorzata Bonikowska, CIR’s president, while delivering a speech at KIIT (Kalinga Institute for Industrial Technology) in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of the Indian state Orissa.

Development of cities is one of the subjects Europe and India should closely cooperate in. The main challenge is to provide the highest possible standard of living to people, which is more and more difficult in today’s expanding metropolises. The concept of "smart cities" presents "future cities" of our dreams. We have to work hard today to make them true – said dr Małgorzata Bonikowska, CIR’s president, in an interview for EURASIA agency during a conference "Smart Cities India 2015" devoted to intelligent cities. Representatives of science, business, think tanks and governments took part in this event.

Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of independent India, used to say that culture widens both mind and spirit. We also believe in that and that’s the reason for launching a Polish Institute in the heart of the Indian capital – said Anna Tryc-Bromley while inaugurating a new headquarters of the Institute. The ceremony was attended by Rahul Chhabra (Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Director of the Indian Council for International Relations (ICWA); Polish Ambassador to India Tomasz Łukaszuk; Małgorzata Bonikowska, CIR’s President and J.J. Singh, President of Polish-Indian Economic Chamber.

Trade turnover between Poland and Oman amounts to 80 mln USD only; it’s much too little given the potential of both countries – said Katarzyna Kacperczyk, deputy minister of foreign affairs while opening Polish-Omani Business Forum in the capital city of Oman, Muscat. Around 30 Polish companies and institutions, including Centre for International Relations and THINKTANK, took part in a mission organised by MFA. The event was another initiative dedicated to the strengthening of bilateral economic cooperation. Earlier this year, in March, Polish-Omani Economic Forum was organised in Warsaw.