“This is an appropriate moment to thank you for all the support you have shown us,” Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, the Rector of the University of Warsaw, said in welcoming Roberta Metsola to the University. The President of the European Parliament talked to students about such subjects as the situation in Ukraine, women in politics and her vision of the future of Europe.

“We are deeply moved by Madam President’s presence at our University today. This is an appropriate moment to thank her for all the support she has shown us,” Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, the UW Rector, said opening the meeting with Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament. He also mentioned the importance of the support shown to Ukraine and the pride of the members of the academic community in belonging to both the University of Warsaw and the European Union.

“I am visiting the member states of the Union with one main message and encouragement: as many citizens as possible should vote in the upcoming European Parliament elections. Decisions taken at this level determine the direction of not only Europe as a whole, but also Poland as a country,” Roberta Metsola said, adding: “The reason I entered politics was my belief in certain values, but also my desire to stand up for specific ideas. You have the opportunity to say: ‘I would like to make a difference.’ That is the greatest strength of democracy.”

Debate and the UW Medal

Roberta Metsola is a Maltese lawyer specialising in European law. After Malta’s accession to the European Union, she worked in the Permanent Representation as a legal specialist. In 2013, she was elected as a Member of the European Parliament. She has held the position of President of this institution since 2022.

During a debate moderated by Robert Grey, the UW Chancellor, Roberta Metsola spoke with UW students, addressing a range of issues including the aid to Ukraine, the European Green Deal, women’s careers in politics and support for the European research.

Prof. Alojzy Z. Nowak, the UW Rector, presented Roberta Metsola with the University of Warsaw Medal, awarded to persons of exceptional merit to the University.

The video recording of the meeting