Polish Presidency of EU Council Focuses on Security in All Dimensions

On Friday 17 January 2025, the Representation of the European Commission in Luxembourg hosted a presentation of the priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, at a launch event held at the Foyer Européen in Luxembourg-Gare. 

On 1 January 2025, Poland officially assumed the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU, for the second time in its history. This follows the six-month Hungarian presidency and will run until 30 June 2025.

In her introduction on Friday morning, the Head of Representation of the European Commission in Luxembourg, Anne Calteux, recalled the "very important mission" of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, namely to create a consensus-enabling environment - a particularly important mission today when consensus is not a given. She also touched on some of the key publications and initiatives expected within the first 100 days of the new European Commission mandate (Clean Industrial Deal, Vision for Agriculture and Food, etc.). She described the next months as "decisive". Ms Calteux then noted the main theme of the Polish presidency of the Council of the EU: "Security, Europe!"; she said the European Commission "welcomes" this "wake up call", stressing the need for strong players to address the many challenges together.

The Hungarian Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, Tamás Iván Kovác, then delivered an overview of the main achievements of the Hungarian presidency, which ran from 1 July to 31 December 2024. The main theme was "Seeking Collective Responses to Historic Challenges", and the presidency coincided with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Luxembourg and Hungary. He mentioned achievements in the areas of competitiveness (e.g. Budapest Declaration on the New European Competitiveness Deal) and enlargement policy (e.g. opening negotiations with Albania), as well as the organisation of several high-level meetings, discussions and events (e.g. the European Political Community meeting, plus cultural events).

Subsequently, Rafał Hykawy, Poland's Ambassador to Luxembourg, presented the priorities of the Polish presidency which centres around security, notably internal and external security, the protection of people and borders, the fight against disinformation and foreign interference, energy security and the competitiveness and resilience of the agricultural sector. He noted that the topic of security fit within the current geopolitical uncertainty, with Europe still facing the consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine. He stressed the need for the EU to strengthen its own defence capacities, also in order to tackle hybrid attacks, and to address the declining economic competitiveness of the EU. Ambassador Hykawy noted that the future success of the presidency would be measured not only in terms of number of files but also on progress on debates on solutions for the "most burning problems" in Europe.

Elaborating on the different dimensions of security being prioritised during this presidency, Ambassador Hykawy shared that external security encompasses the need for greater investment in EU defence capabilities and strengthening transatlantic relations, as well as maintaining support for Ukraine; he also noted the Eastern perspective, among other points. The internal dimension involves enhancing capacities to tackle hybrid attacks and seeking new solutions to secure the EU's external borders, as well as working to ensure the proper functioning of the Schengen area and improving the EU's adaptation to climate change, tackling disinformation, etc. On economic security, he emphasised the importance of helping businesses, especially SMEs, to reap the benefits of the single market for competitiveness and growth (e.g. by simplifying rules and shortening procedures), among other things. Regarding energy security, he stressed the importance of creating incentives to ensure full independence from Russian energy sources in future (incentives rather than bans that could undermine competitiveness). He also mentioned food security, notably the need for a strong Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that supports farmers. On health security, he noted supporting the digitalisation of the healthcare sector, plus promoting the mental wellbeing of citizens, especially young people. The ambassador also touched on the various events and meetings which will take place under this presidency, including those planned for Luxembourg.

A lively Q&A session followed, with audience questions touching on the potential future of a European army, digital inclusion and literacy for all, investing in technology but also human capital for defence, as well as enlargement, energy security, and industry and competitiveness.

In response to a question from Chronicle.lu on the proper functioning of the Schengen area and migration (internal and external borders), Rafał Hykawy noted the need to support those who need and seek help (e.g. asylum seekers) on the one hand and to keep out terrorists and tackle hybrid attacks on the other hand. He said he hoped the Polish experience (e.g. regarding hybrid aggression from Belarus) could help lead to improvements in this area.

On reintroduced border controls within the Schengen area, Anne Calteux assured that the European Commission was following the situation closely and checking what is and is not allowed according to the agreements, ready to take action if needed. She recalled the importance of Schengen to the EU, as highlighted for example by the recent visit by the EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, to Schengen. On the other hand, the EU must strengthen its external borders, for example Frontex is expected to increase its staff to 30,000 agents under the new European Commission mandate. Ms Calteux also mentioned new rules in this area, which should always comply with human rights.

The Hungarian Ambassador also added that internal controls were often restricted to exceptional events such as the Olympics (for added control), whilst agreeing on the need for strong external borders. He also described Schengen as an "emotional" issue, which is of great value within the EU peace project.

There was a full house for this event, with various ambassadors, politicians and other dignitaries among those present.