The Council of the European Union has officially commenced Poland’s six-month presidency, marked by an evening performance from musicians of the Polish National Opera at Warsaw’s Grand Theatre.
This gala event was attended by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and European Council President António Costa, with live coverage provided by Poland’s national broadcaster, TVP1.
During his remarks, Mr. Costa emphasized that Poland has become “a cornerstone of European defence” and a “key pillar” within the bloc’s single market.
He also remarked on the necessity for Europe to maintain its support for Ukraine “for as long as it takes to achieve lasting peace.”
In its presidency programme, the Polish government has prioritized defence and security policy, branding it “Security, Europe!”.
The official programme document states, “Europe is grappling with the consequences of Russia’s third year of armed aggression against Ukraine and the need to strengthen its own defence capacity.”
It further asserts, “We require concerted and ambitious action on European defence, complementing NATO’s efforts.”
Migration policy is also underscored as a critical focus, with the programme labeling it as “the protection of people and borders.”
“We will seek innovative solutions to comprehensively tackle the challenges of migration and security at the EU’s external borders, aiming to reduce irregular migration and bolster the effectiveness of return policies, including collaboration with third-country partners,” the document states.
Mr. Tusk’s coalition government has maintained a strict approach towards limiting irregular migration along Poland’s heavily militarized border with Belarus, a policy that continues the previous nationalist Law and Justice-led government’s stance.
Antonio Costa, President of the European Council (L), and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at last night’s event.
Various members of the Polish government and ambassadors were present at the gala, but Hungary’s ambassador to Poland was notably absent due to a diplomatic dispute between the two nations.
Last month, Hungary granted political asylum to Marcin Romanowski, a Polish opposition MP from the Law and Justice party and a former deputy justice minister from 2019 to 2023.
Mr. Romanowski faces 11 charges of misappropriating public funds while in office. Following the discovery that he had fled to Hungary to avoid arrest, Polish authorities issued a European arrest warrant that remains active.
In an interview with TVP Info, Polish Deputy Minister for European Affairs Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka confirmed that Hungary’s ambassador was “not welcome” at the gala event.
This Polish presidency comes on the heels of a contentious six-month period under Hungary, during which Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, causing frustration among other EU leaders.
Polish President Andrzej Duda did not attend the gala, instead being represented by a senior official from his office.
Mr. Duda, associated with Law and Justice, is set to conclude his second and final term as president in May this year.
Relations between his presidential office and the prime minister’s office have been tense since the formation of the current pro-EU coalition government in December 2023, which has sought to reverse many rule-of-law changes instituted by the former Law and Justice administration.
Outside the gala, hundreds of Polish farmers protested against the EU’s recent free trade agreement with South America’s Mercosur trade bloc, as well as the European Green Deal and imports of Ukrainian agricultural products.
During Poland’s presidency, more than 20 informal meetings of EU ministers are planned, alongside over 300 additional official meetings at the EU level.
