Poland to lead EU Council presidency in 2025: Key priorities
Poland will assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on January 1, 2025, for a six-month term (January-June 2025), in a challenging geopolitical context. Its priorities will include European security, support for Ukraine, and strengthening the EU economy.
The Polish government succeeds Hungary's mandate, which helped facilitate the full accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Area.
Poland last held the EU presidency in 2011. The official opening event of Poland's presidency will take place on January 3, 2025, at the Polish National Opera in Warsaw, according to the Polish presidency website, as reported by Agerpres.
The priorities of Poland’s presidency focus on European security in seven key areas: defense and security, protection of citizens and borders, resilience to foreign influence and disinformation, ensuring the security and freedom of business, energy transition, strong agriculture, and health security.
On December 13, 2024, Poland’s Foreign Minister announced that supporting Ukraine, maintaining policies towards Russia and Belarus, and strengthening EU and partner security would be top priorities.
The presidency of the Council of the European Union rotates every six months among member states, with the country assuming the presidency responsible for advancing the EU agenda and leading the institution's meetings.
Member states holding the presidency collaborate in groups of three, called "trios," for a period of 18 months. Poland is part of the Poland-Denmark-Cyprus trio (January 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026).
The trio sets long-term objectives and prepares a common agenda for the next 18 months, determining the key themes to be discussed in the Council. Each of the three countries then prepares a detailed six-month program.
During each six-month period, between 500 and 700 legislative proposals are discussed, and the laws examined depend on initiatives from the EU's Strategic Agenda.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
