Both delegations participated in a series of debates centred around thematic clusters, which focused on various areas of EU policy aligned with the priorities of the Polish presidency pertaining to security, defence, international affairs, the economy, competitiveness, prosperity, democracy, and the rule of law. The cluster meetings concluded with a plenary session (chaired by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen). The event was concluded with a joint press conference. 

Minister Tomasz Siemoniak took part in the cluster debate concerning securityand in the plenary part of the meeting, as well.

The Minister of the Interior and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak highlighted the persistent threats to our security originating both inside and outside of the European Union. Given the increasing instability and competition among global actors to reshape the international order as well as Russia's ongoing military aggression against Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, we need to be be mindful of the threat of destabilisation of the European Union member states. The European Union faces many threats – terrorism and organised crime as well as hybrid threats, cybercrime, and disinformation. 

The Minister of the Interior and Administration pointed out that we need to approach security in a comprehensive manner. It is important that the European Union take coordinated action to prepare its institutions and the member states for all possible scenarios and threats. Ensuring security is a prerequisite for uninterrupted growth, as security has an impact on all areas of our activities and therefore needs to be integrated into every sphere of our citizens' lives for which we carry responsibility. We cannot talk about defence policy unless there is internal security, and we cannot implement any foreign policy without taking internal security into account. These interdependencies and interconnections prove the importance of a comprehensive, innovative and multidimensional approach to security.

Earlier, Minister Tomasz Siemoniak and EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner also visited the Border Guard Maritime Unit in Gdańsk.

Main photo: Chancellery of the Prime Minister Republic of Poland/PAP SA