On 1st January 2025, Hungary handed over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union to Poland. Over the next six months, Poland will lead the work of the EU Council in its various formats and seek to negotiate agreements with the Member States. This is a very familiar task for Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, former President of the European Council between 1 December 2014 and 30 November 2019.
The motto of the Polish Presidency is clearly ‘Security, Europe!’ and the Polish presidency will be focusing on European defence (capacity and defence industry) in the light of the geopolitical situation. However, as explained by the Polish minister for European affairs, Adam Szłapka: ‘the Polish Presidency will support activities aimed at strengthening European security in all its dimensions: external, internal, economic, information, energy, food and health’. Poland is one of the first countries in the ‘trio’, alongside Denmark and Cyprus.
Beyond security, the European Tech & Industry employers welcome most of the Presidency’s priorities, especially the commitment to strengthening European competitiveness and ensuring affordable energy supplies. They are particularly interested in the second chapter which will deal with various components that make up competitiveness such as twin transition, innovation, environment, and social affairs. The MET industries are aligned with the presidency’s determination to restore fair competition for European industry on the world stage and to strengthen the foundations of the single market.
Ceemet believes that the development of the EU’s industrial policy is essential to strengthening its competitiveness and attractiveness.
You can download the full program of the presidency below.