“Security, Europe!” With the intention to focus on the 7 dimensions of security, Poland takes over the EU presidency
1 January 2025 14:21
From today, Poland assumes the presidency of the Council of the EU. The official inauguration of the Polish presidency is scheduled for January 3, 2025. This is reported on the website of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU, "Komersant Ukrainian" informs.
Poland will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the second time: thirteen years after the first Polish presidency and twenty years after joining the EU.
Main priorities of the presidency
Poland is presenting an ambitious presidency program, the main goal of which is to implement the priorities identified around the topic of security. The slogan of the presidency is in line with these priorities: “Security, Europe!”
“Russia’s ongoing armed aggression against Ukraine threatens the security of the entire continent, but it is also a war against the principles and values that the European Union represents. The Polish Presidency will work to respect and promote them by the EU, emphasizing the special role of civil society,” the Polish Presidency’s program states.
It also emphasizes that Poland will support activities to strengthen European security in many of its dimensions: external, internal, information, economic, energy, food, and health.
Back in mid-December, Polish Minister for EU Affairs Adam Szlapka presented Poland’s program for the next six months.
“First of all, we want Europe to pay attention to the most important things and speak our language. And today there is nothing more important than taking responsibility for our common security,” the minister said.
According to him, Poland wants to focus on seven dimensions of security, but the first and foremost will be external security, strengthening the EU defense industry, and strengthening relations with the United States.
During Poland’s presidency, the European Commission will begin work on a draft multi-year joint EU budget. Warsaw wants the budget to include money for defense, including the EU defense industry, for 2028-2034. The Polish side is already in talks with the newly appointed European Commissioner for Defense, Andrius Kubilius. The European Commissioner wants EU member states to allocate 100 billion euros for defense over the next seven years.
What else you should know about the start of Poland’s EU presidency
The official opening of Poland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union will take place on January 3 at the Polish National Opera in Warsaw. A rehearsal took place there last Saturday. The gala concert will feature a star-studded lineup of artists.
The logo of the presidency stands for commitment and ambition.
The Polish flag, merged with the letters EU, symbolizes Poland’s commitment to the European Union, its participation in European affairs and its desire to set new directions for EU policy, particularly in the security of the continent. The logo is based on the best traditions of the Solidarity movement and symbolizes Poland’s 20-year membership in the EU.
The Polish Post issued a commemorative postage stamp with the logo of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU along with a digital version of the stamp.
The motto of the presidency indicates determination and experience.
The motto: “Security, Europe!” emphasizes Poland’s determination to ensure that the security dimension remains the cornerstone of all fundamental European issues.
The Polish apple as the official fruit of the presidency.
This choice is explained by the fact that for Poland, the apple is a special fruit and a source of national pride. Poland is the largest apple producer in Europe and the fourth largest in the world. Polish apples are recognized in the EU register as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), a distinction awarded to regional products of the highest quality.
This initiative follows the promotion of Polish strawberries during the presidency in 2011.
