Poland in the EU

Preparations for the upcoming European Council (October 21-22) and the informal meeting of the leaders in Slovenia (October 5), coordination of activities related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the presentation of the Slovenian Presidency's priorities were the most important topics of the General Affairs Council in Brussels. Poland was represented by the Minister for the European Union, Konrad Szymański.

We, the Prime Ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland, express our grave concern regarding the situation on the borders of Lithuania, Latvia and Poland with Belarus. It is clear to us that the ongoing crisis has been planned and systemically organized by the regime of Alexander Lukashenka. Using immigrants to destabilize neighbouring countries constitutes a clear breach of the international law and qualifies as a hybrid attack against the Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and thus against the entire European Union.

Preparations for the upcoming European Council (June 24-25), COVID-19 coordination, as well as hearings under the procedure of Art. 7 TEU were the main topics of the meeting of ministers responsible for European affairs. Poland was represented by the Minister for the European Union, Konrad Szymański.

The EU's engagement in Belarus and Iraq as well as relations with Latin American and Caribbean countries were the main items of Monday's FAC meeting in Luxembourg. The campaign of cyber attacks against Poland was also an important element of the talks. The ministers met with Swiatlana Cichanouska. Poland was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zbigniew Rau.

The heads of state and government of the EU member states held a discussion on Russia, the United Kingdom and the US, as well as on climate policy and COVID-19 coordination. The issue of the forced landing of the Ryanair plane in Minsk was also raised. Poland was represented by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

The honorary guests of the event were Zbigniew Rau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oliver Varhelyi, EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, and Father Krzysztof Wieliczko (OSPPE), Administrative Secretary of the John Paul II Foundation.

EU leaders met in Porto to discuss social issues, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The social summit was followed by an informal meeting of the European Council. Poland was represented by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

The structured cooperation (PESCO), work on the EU's strategic compass as well as the exchange of views with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg were the main topics of the Foreign Affairs Council (Defence). Poland was represented by the Minister Mariusz Błaszczak.

The situation in Ukraine and Ethiopia were the main topics of the videoconference of the EU foreign ministers. The Council also held a discussion with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmitry Kuleba. Poland was represented by Minister Zbigniew Rau.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki took part in the videoconference of the members of the European Council. The discussion focused on issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation in Russia and Belarus, and relations with Turkey. The talks also touched upon issues of digital transformation, the single market and industrial policy.