Poland assumed the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the period from 1 January 2025 to 30 June 2025 under the motto “Security, Europe!”

In the wake of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, the Presidency emphasises the need to strengthen the EU's own defence capacity. Therefore, the priorities of the Polish Presidency programme focus on supporting activities that strengthen European security in all its dimensions: external, internal, information, economic, energy, food and health.

In the field of defence and security, the priorities are to increase the EU's defence readiness, support the defence industry, and strengthen cooperation with NATO. Resisting foreign interference and disinformation is another priority of the programme. To ensure the security and freedom of businesses, the programme plans to intensify the internal market, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and restore fair competition to EU industry on the global stage. Further priorities include measures to improve the reliable and secure supply of energy resources and to reduce the EU's dependence on imported technologies, while at the same time ensuring that citizens and businesses have access to energy in sufficient quantities and at affordable prices. A competitive and resilient agriculture with a strong Common Agriculture Policy, the digital transformation of healthcare, the improvement of EU medicines security, and the diversification of medicines supply chains, as well as support for their production in the EU will also play an important role.

Regarding internal security, the programme addresses issues such as combatting major cross-border criminal networks, hybrid threats, terrorism, and radicalisation. In terms of judicial cooperation in criminal matters, the Polish Presidency is focusing on the fight against corruption, trafficking of illicit drugs, human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and enhancing the level of protection for victims of crime. Another priority is the protection of minors from exploitation, including sexual abuse. In the light of technological developments and online threats, the Presidency aims to bring forward an updated legal framework for the protection of children from online exploitation, especially with regard to the draft Directive on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material. Furthermore, the Polish Presidency will continue the work on the draft Directive establishing minimum rules concerning the definition of criminal offences and sanctions in the area of facilitation of unauthorised entry, transit and stay of third-country nationals, as well as measures to prevent and counter the commission of such criminal offences. Efforts will also continue to ensure accountability for perpetrators of crimes committed in connection with the war in Ukraine.

On the subject of economy and financial affairs, the Polish Council Presidency wants to hold "the first important discussions" on the future multiannual financial framework (MFF) and guide the Commission in the preparation of the MFF post-2027. While the EU's next multiannual budget will not come into force as early as 2028, Poland is already planning a conference on this topic in February 2025. Furthermore, Poland will support claims for a stronger link between cohesion policy and structural reforms.

The Polish Presidency also marks the beginning of the new trio of Presidencies. Denmark and Cyprus will take over in the second half of 2025 and the first half of 2026, respectively (for the trio presidency programme → separate news item/related link).