WARSAW, Poland — In anticipation of Poland assuming the presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2025, Prime Minister Donald Tusk has outlined key priorities, emphasizing security, energy, and enhancing competitiveness. He believes that for Europe to thrive amid global competition, it needs a more self-interested approach combined with greater internal solidarity.

During a press conference held after discussions with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and various political group leaders, Tusk expressed his vision for this presidency to be a transformative period for the EU. He highlighted that among the main priorities will be multifaceted security, energy as a critical element for restoring the EU’s competitiveness, and safeguarding various sectors of the population. Tusk underscored the importance of fair competitiveness, asserting that Europe possesses the capability to emerge victorious on the global stage.

Tusk noted that Poland’s presidency will unfold during a particularly challenging period marked by significant geopolitical hurdles. These include the ongoing war in Ukraine, forthcoming presidential elections in Belarus, and various tensions across different regions of the world, as well as political instability in several major European nations. Additionally, Poland is preparing for elections in the spring to find a successor for the current right-wing president, Andrzej Duda.

He stressed that Poland’s commitment to securing its borders against migrant pressures from Belarus is gaining broader approval, and he believes that this emphasis on border protection is developing into a collective European perspective.