A two-day meeting of defense ministers from Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic kicked off yesterday in Gdynia and will continue today in Elbląg.

The Visegrad Group, or V4, meets annually to discuss regional issues and coordinate initiatives and projects in the areas of education and defense. Yesterday’s closed meeting aboard the ORP Gen. K. Pułaski focused on setting future goals and summarizing V4 cooperation during the Polish presidency of the group, which ends on June 30.

The V4 began as a regional cooperation platform in 1991; it was followed by the establishment of the International Visegrad Fund in June 2000. According to the Polish Foreign Ministry, both organizations aim to support projects that „bring together people inside the V4 region but also within Europe as a common continent.”

Source: Radio Gdańsk, Radio Poland

Moldova’s pro-EU President Maia Sandu is scheduled to visit Warsaw today for face-to-face talks with her Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda.

According to Presidential aide Krzysztof Szczerski, topics of discussion will include „bilateral cooperation, regional security, and prospects for strengthening Moldova’s integration with Euro-Atlantic structures.”

Sandu, a former World Bank economist who favors closer ties with the EU, was elected in November after defeating pro-Moscow incumbent Igor Dodon in a reportedly tight race.

After the election, Duda and several other Central European leaders formally congratulated Sandu on her victory, with Duda declaring she had „been given a strong mandate from the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, who expect changes, a more ambitious reform agenda, democracy and closer ties with the EU.”

Moldova’s location in a geopolitically strategic region on the eastern border of the EU makes it a potentially valuable partner for Poland, one that can potentially serve as a bridge between the Euro-Atlantic world and the Russian sphere of influence.

Source: Radio Poland

As Poland enters its third day of an ongoing heatwave, officials and experts are warning residents to stay hydrated and avoid excessive exposure to the scorching sun.

Poland’s Institute of Meteorology and Water Management has issued first and second heat warnings for most provinces in the country, with alerts of heavy rainfall and possible hailstorms in some areas. Temperatures in the southwestern regions are set to soar to 35°C (95°F) today, with areas around Pomerania reporting temps as high as 33°C (91°F).

The Government Security Center is advising people to drink lots of water, avoid venturing outdoors unless necessary, and avoid strenuous exercise and alcohol, which may cause excessive dehydration.

Lifeguards have also encouraged beachgoers to take additional precautions, including acclimating themselves to the water before jumping in and being aware that strong southern winds will push floating objects out to sea. Lifeguards from Ustka reportedly had to sail roughly 8 kilometers on Sunday to retrieve people on floating mattresses that had drifted out to sea.

Source: Radio Gdańsk, Radio Poland

Starting July 1, Radio Gdańsk will be taking care of giraffes at the Gdańsk Zoo in Oliwa.

In anticipation of the event, Radio Gdańsk will be giving away family tickets to the zoo all this week. To win, listeners must correctly answer a question presenters will announce on-air each morning.

Answers should be sent via SMS to the number 603 06 06 06; The text cannot exceed 150 characters and should not contain Polish letters.

Participants will have the chance to win a ticket to the zoo for a group of up to five people, including two children and a maximum of two guardians.

More information on the contest can be found >>>here.

Weather

Similar to yesterday, this afternoon will again be hot and sunny, with a light breeze coming in from the south and very little chance of rain until tomorrow morning. An orange level „high temperature” warning is still in effect for today, with slightly cooler temps expected for tomorrow. Today’s highs will peak around 32°C, or 89°F, staying warm overnight with a low of only 21°C or 69°F. Clouds and cooler temps will return tomorrow, with the rest of the week set to be a mix of rain and sun.

EPeck/ua