A presidency dedicated to security.

SK – 01/2025

The Polish Presidency of the EU's Council began at the start of the year. It rotates every six months between the twenty-seven EU member states. Poland has now assumed this role for the second time. Polish prime minister Donald Tusk has a lot of experience with the way the Council works. He was not only President of the EC between 2014 and 2019, but was also responsible for Poland's first Council Presidency in 2011 during his first term as prime minister.


The Polish Presidency also marks the start of a new presidency trio. The trio always consists of three Council presidencies, who coordinate the Council's long-term objectives with each other. Poland shares the trio with Denmark and Cyprus. As part of their eighteen-month programme, the three countries have agreed to work on Europe's competitiveness, democratic values and security during their presidencies.

Focusing on the well-being of EU citizens

In keeping with the motto "Security, Europe!", the Polish presidential programme will focus on the following seven security dimensions up to the end of June:


  • Protecting people and borders
  • Defence and security
  • Resistance to foreign interference and disinformation
  • Ensuring security and freedom of business
  • Energy transition
  • Competitive and resilient agriculture
  • Health security


The latter also includes pharmaceutical drug safety. Poland wants to pay special attention to the interests of patients during the debates about critical medicines, supply reliability and ensuring availability. Other healthcare policy priorities will include the digital transformation of the healthcare system, the mental health of children and adolescents, as well as health promotion and disease prevention. The development of cross-border services in the eHealth sector is one of the objectives of the Council Presidency, as is the exchanging of information relating to health-promoting practices.

Demographic and digital transformation

Although employment, equality and social affairs, like health, are not among the top priorities of the Council Presidency, Poland has nevertheless also set priorities with regard to the employment and social policy sectors. The focus will be on the future of working in digital Europe, the challenges posed by an ageing population as well as the creation of a Europe of cohesion, equality and inclusion. Moreover, Poland wants to pursue the further development of the European Pillar of Social Rights and deal with how to protect labour rights in times of digital change. The Council Presidency will also continue to push ahead with legislative processes involving the "One substance, one assessment" reform package and the Traineeship Directive, which deals with improving working conditions and combating regular employment relationships disguised as traineeships.