The Underground Meeting of Four Prime Ministers

The Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, invited to the Wieliczka mine the heads of government of the Vyshehrad Group countries. The mine hosted prime misters from Hungary, Gordon Bajnai, the Czech Republic, Jan Fischer, Slovakia, Robert Fico, and Poland. They visited the Chapel of St. Kinga and dined in the Warszawa Chamber where they discussed the current affairs of the Vyshehrad Group countries.

The guests were welcomed at the entrance to the Mikołaj Daniłowicz Shaft by the Chairman of the Board of the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine S.A., Kajetan d’Obyrn, the Chairman of the Board of the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine Tourist Route, Marian Leśny, Member of the Board for Technical Issues of the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine S.A., Dariusz Wojciechowski, and Services Director of the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine Tourist Route, Jarosław Malik.

The guests then took the elevator down into the mine to the II lower level, 101 meters below ground level, and visited the Chapel of St. Kinga. The chapel, carved out in rock salt, is one of the most beautiful historic places in the mine. The politicians were amazed with its beauty and the enormous space cut out in rock salt. They also visited the Erazm Barącz and Stanisław Staszic chambers.

The prime ministers symbolically shook hands in a gesture of unity. During dinner in the Warszawa Chamber, 125 meters below ground level, the prime ministers summarized the ending leadership of Poland in the Vyshehrad Group countries and discussed the priorities under the leadership of Hungary. Amongst other aspects, the prime ministers discussed the issues of energy safety, the nearing climate summit in Copenhagen, and the engagement of the Vyshehrad Group countries in the Eastern Partnership project.

The prime ministers then signed the Book of Guests. Prime Minister Donald Tusk presented his guests with salt sculptures created by talented Wieliczka miners, coffee table books and films on the historic undergrounds.

The underground meeting of the four prime minister took place as part of the anniversary celebrating the first free elections held in Poland in 1989.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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