Inauguration of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union
13.01.2025
On the occasion of Poland's assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the United Nations Office at Geneva organised a meeting for the Ambassadors of the Member States of the European Union, as well as for the Ambassador and representatives of the local EU Delegation, during which the Head of the Mission, Chargé d'affaires ad interim Mirosław Broiło, presented the priorities of the Polish Presidency. A special poster depicting the objectives of the Permanent Representation was also presented.
CDA M. Broiło pointed out that the period of the Polish Presidency of the EU coincides with ground-breaking changes in Europe and the world:
Poland is presiding over the Council of the European Union at a very special moment. We are dealing with new institutional arrangements within the EU; a new US administration is being formed; Russian aggression against Ukraine is still in full swing; we are dealing with protracted conflicts in the Middle East; we are dealing with constant migratory pressures; hybrid threats, including disinformation, interfering with the democratic order of independent states.
In these circumstances, Poland's overarching objective is to protect and ensure the security of the EU in the broadest sense:
As the European Union is facing serious challenges, the foundation and leitmotif of the Polish Presidency's activities is multidimensional security - understood as security in different dimensions and different sectors: external, internal, information, economic, energy, food and health security. We will also seek to uphold standards of the rule of law, strengthen the resilience of democracy and promote commitment to EU values. Respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms on which the EU is founded is an integral part of a sense of security," said Mr Broiło.
An important element of the forthcoming Presidency will be the continued pursuit of EU unanimity. Speaking about the need to develop a unified position of all Member States, especially in forums of dozens of international organisations, the Head of the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland noted that Poland will facilitate the development of a common position wherever possible:
In the international environment of Geneva, the principle of consensus is fundamental to ensure a strong and unanimous EU voice. We are ready to facilitate the development of a consensual EU position, despite all differences of opinion we are aware of. Poland will do its utmost during its Presidency – but we are aware that better results can only be achieved by working together.
During Polish presidency in the EU dozens of conferences and meetings of specialised agencies based in Geneva are planned, e.g. on human rights, disarmament issues, humanitarian and migration issues, issues of international labour standards, new technologies, environment and transport, health, as well as several hundred informal meetings devoted to the above-mentioned topics.
