Poland’s EU Presidency: A Focus on Energy, Defence, and Economic Security

Poland will assume the rotating EU presidency in January 2025, with a comprehensive agenda centered around strengthening the EU’s energy security, defence capabilities, and economic resilience. Ambassador Agnieszka Bartol outlined these priorities amid growing global challenges, particularly the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, shifting international politics with the US under President Trump, and a need for robust economic strategies within the EU.

Security in All Dimensions: A Primary Focus
The Polish presidency will prioritize security, addressing both internal and external threats. Ambassador Bartol emphasized that the EU, in light of geopolitical instability, must bolster its protection against various security risks. These include securing Europe’s borders, enhancing cybersecurity, countering disinformation, and strengthening defence systems. The EU aims to ensure the stability and safety of its members, fostering greater cooperation on security matters.

Energy Security and Diversification
Energy security stands out as a key priority, with Poland aiming to reduce energy costs for both businesses and consumers. This includes diversifying energy sources to decrease reliance on external suppliers, enhancing resilience against supply chain disruptions. Poland is focused on ensuring that the EU maintains a reliable and independent energy supply, a pressing issue considering ongoing geopolitical challenges and the EU’s transition to greener energy sources. This initiative is designed to safeguard the bloc’s economic stability and competitiveness.

Defence Investments and New Financing Mechanisms
The EU’s defence spending has seen an increase, with a record €279 billion invested in 2023, but this is still not enough to keep pace with global competitors like the US and China. To meet these demands, Poland’s presidency plans to push for an additional €500 billion investment in defence over the next decade. Bartol highlighted that the EU must explore new funding avenues for defence, as traditional budget allocations, including the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), will not be sufficient to meet urgent needs. Poland is advocating for alternative financing methods, such as the potential introduction of Eurobonds for defence, although discussions on this remain sensitive, particularly for member states like Germany and the Netherlands.

Financial Innovation for EU Defence
The Polish presidency also plans to address the issue of innovative financing for EU defence, which was previously considered a taboo topic. The shift toward new financing methods is driven by the urgent need for strategic defence investments, including initiatives such as the European air defence shield. Poland aims to continue the dialogue around financing defence in a more sustainable and forward-looking manner, with a focus on maintaining Europe’s competitiveness and security in a rapidly changing global environment.

The EU Budget and Defence Challenges
With the current EU budget allocating only €10 billion for defence through 2027, and the next MFF set to begin in 2028, Poland is pushing for quicker solutions. As Ambassador Bartol pointed out, Europe cannot afford to wait for the full implementation of the next MFF, especially with ongoing threats from geopolitical adversaries such as Russia. She stressed that the EU must act swiftly to ensure the readiness of its defence forces and maintain global competitiveness.