Poland took over the presidency of the EU on 1 January promising to strenthen European security in its external, internal, information, economic, energy, food, and health dimensions.

Each member state presides over the Council’s work on EU legislation for six months, ensuring continuity of EU processes, and cooperation between member states.The inevitable focus of Poland’s presidency is a result of Russia’s ongoing armed aggression against Ukraine, which is threatening the security of the entire European continent.

“Security, Europe! This is our motto, which reflects the current challenges facing our continent,” said Poland’s Minister for European Union Affairs Adam Szlapk.

The Polish presidency is focusing on strengthening seven dimensions of European security, including defence and security, protection of people and borders, resistance to foreign interference and disinformation, ensuring security and freedom of business, the energy transition, competitive and resilient agriculture and health security.

The new presidency has also vowed to continue efforts to strengthen and protect the European Union’s values, both internally and externally. This will focus on safeguarding the rule of law, EU enlargement, countering foreign interference and information manipulation, strengthening democratic resilience and preparing negotiations of the new Multiannual Financial Framework.

The Polish presidency says it will also support discussion on the future of the EU’s cohesion policy, which it considers to be the best tool for equalising development opportunities, counteracting inequalities, and improving resistance to crises.

With regard to foreign affairs, the work of the Foreign Affairs Council will focus on maximising support for Ukraine at political, military and economic levels, maintaining current policies towards Russia and Belarus and strengthening the security and resilience of the EU and its partners.

The work of the Foreign Affairs Council will focus on maximising support for Ukraine at political, military and economic levels, maintaining current policies towards Russia and Belarus and strengthening the security and resilience of the EU and its partners.

On financial affairs, the Polish presidency will focus are streamlining the Single Market to strengthen the competitiveness of the European economy, and working on the financial aspects of strengthening the EU’s defence capabilities and supporting Ukraine, as well as the balanced and efficient revenue side of the EU budget.

On home affairs, the focus will be on a comprehensive response to the challenges of security and migration, including countering its instrumentalisation by Russia and Belarus, and working extensively with international partners in tackling its root causes.

With regard to the environment, the Council will focus on actions to build the resilience of the environment and societies to climate change. It will promote fight against the causes and effects of climate change first and foremost through incentives and support, rather than bans and excessive burdens.

Programme of the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union