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More and more European leaders understand that Europe must focus on its security, its competitiveness, on making life easier for ordinary people; we need to make a deep correction in European thinking,” said Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Friday in Brussels at a meeting with Polish diplomats.
The head of government met in Brussels with Polish diplomats who are preparing the Polish presidency in the Council of the European Union, starting on January 1, 2025.
“I am convinced that thanks to you the risk of disappointment is minimal,” Tusk said about the Polish presidency, addressing the diplomats. He added that at the Polish Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels, “300 best-prepared people in Poland and in Europe are working to lead both our country and the entire European Union in these difficult times.”
“This is not our first presidency, this is not my first presidency. It so happens that for the second time I have the honor, as the Prime Minister of the Polish government, to lead the work of the European Union, but there is always stage fright. Especially since – as I said – these expectations for Poland, hopes that Europe will be better, safer, are very high,” he said.
He stressed that the task of diplomats is particularly complicated because they will be largely dealing with EU regulations and looking for compromises between different interests, expectations, and intentions. “You will co-create and set the pace for regulatory changes, and at the same time, you feel that across Europe the cry demanding deregulation is getting louder,” he added.
“To a large extent, it will depend on you how much Poland will be able to lead the European Union in the direction so eagerly awaited by citizens of probably every country. But also more and more European leaders understand that Europe must focus on its security, on competitiveness, on making life easier for ordinary people. We need to make a deep correction in European thinking. Whether it is migration, or indeed a common security policy, or the foundations of the real competitiveness of the European economy. What is happening around us sets this bar even higher,” he added.
Among the challenges, he mentioned the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine. “How will the Russian aggression in Ukraine end? This serious political change in many countries, primarily in the United States, governmental crises in key European countries – all this means that you will be even more observed, even more tested by life, not only by these routine presidency tasks,” admitted the Prime Minister. (20.12.2024)