Polish Ambassador presents priorities of Presidency of the Council of the EU

Poland’s priorities for its current EU Presidency cover seven pillars, presented at a press conference by the country's Ambassador to Nicosia, Marek Szczepanowski.

Poland, together with Denmark and Cyprus, form the trio of the rotating presidency that covers the period between January 2025 and June 2026.

Cyprus will hold the presidency in the first half of 2026, preceded by Denmark. Poland joined the EU together with Cyprus in 2004. Denmark has been a member state since 1973.

The conference took place at the EU House, in the presence of the Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna and Ambassadors or other diplomats from EU member states, as well as the Deputy Head of the representation of the EU Commission Nikolaos Isaris.

The Ambassador expressed his joy that Cyprus is on board with his country in the trio presidency and together they will face the challenges.

The seven pillars cover the external and internal dimension of the EU, information issues, economy, energy, food and health.

Regarding the external dimension Ambassador Szczepanowski referred to defence and security issues and stressed that Europe must be ready to face any threats, especially from the east.

He spoke about the need to continue the support for Ukraine, stating that 2025 will be a decisive year for the turn of the war. The Ambassador also referred to issues of illegal migration and the need for the EU to respond to the threats of the climate crisis.

He made special reference to issues of cybersecurity and disinformation, saying that the EU must be able to deal with hybrid threats.

Regarding economic security, he said, among other things, that the EU has 32 million businesses and that small and medium-sized enterprises in particular must be helped to grow and become resilient.

The Polish Ambassador referred to issues of energy security and sufficiency due to both the war and the sanctions in Russia. Regarding food security and health, he spoke about the need to have a competitive and resilient agricultural sector. In the field of health, he spoke about the mental health of children and adolescents and the safety of medicines.

Ambassador Szczepanowski said that his country will host 22 informal European Councils and over 300 events, conferences and workshops. In March, the Presidency trio will present the priorities at an event in Nicosia, while the Embassy is also organizing cultural and other events.

More information about the Polish presidency can be found on the website www.poland25.eu.

Deputy Minister Marilena Raouna, in her greeting, described the assumption of the presidency by Cyprus in January 2026 as a milestone and spoke about the need for vision, close cooperation, solidarity and work so that the trio is successful.

"The EU can and will deliver," she said.

She also referred to the priorities that shape the EU's political agenda and policies until 2029 and to the European vision for a free, democratic, strong, secure, prosperous and competitive Europe.

(Source: CNA)