Poland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during a period marked by significant geopolitical and economic challenges. The ongoing war in Ukraine and the destabilisation of the international order needs decisive actions to enhance security and foster cooperation across Europe. Simultaneously, the EU faces pressing issues related to migration, energy transition, declining economic competitiveness, and climate change.
The key objectives of the Polish Presidency include strengthening transatlantic cooperation with the United States, expanding the EU to incorporate new member states, participating in Ukraine's reconstruction, and ensuring energy security while supporting a fair energy transition. The Presidency will focus on enhancing security comprehensively, addressing external, internal, informational, economic, energy, food, and health dimensions. Particular emphasis will be placed on providing sustained support for Ukraine, both in its reconstruction efforts and in intensifying pressure on Russia to bring an end to the ongoing conflict.
In the area of international cooperation, Poland’s Presidency will strive to fully leverage the potential of EU-UK relations while strengthening ties with other strategic partners. A key priority will also be improving coordination in countering disinformation and addressing cybersecurity threats, thereby enhancing the EU’s capacity to respond to hostile actions in cyberspace.
In terms of economic and energy transformation, the Polish Presidency will prioritise the reduction of bureaucratic burdens and the flexible implementation of the European Green Deal to enable a more sustainable energy transition. Efforts will also focus on supporting the development of strategic industries within the EU to build competitive advantages and ensure equal opportunities for all member states.
Poland will also initiate discussions on the future of cohesion policy as a vital tool for reducing developmental disparities, equalising opportunities, and strengthening resilience to crises. Finally, financing for defence will remain a key priority, necessitating an in-depth debate among EU member states.
In the critical areas of science and technology, Poland’s Presidency in the field of research and innovation will concentrate on fostering synergies between various EU funding programmes. The guiding principles are openness and inclusiveness, with the aim of maximising the Union’s potential by effectively integrating funding sources and promoting cooperation.
The Presidency will work to strengthen the European Research Area (ERA) by emphasising the importance of synergies and inclusivity. Key actions include drafting a political agenda for the ERA for 2025–2027, preparing the mid-term evaluation of Horizon Europe, establishing a new research and training programme under the European Atomic Energy Community for 2026–2027 as a complement to Horizon Europe, and adopting conclusions on technological infrastructures based on thematic conferences and meetings of the EU Competitiveness Council.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technologies are pivotal to the future of the economy and society, as well as to institutions focused on science and technology. The Polish Presidency will promote the development of European research and competence centres in AI, support market adaptation to regulatory changes, and facilitate the implementation of breakthrough technologies by businesses. Moreover, it will prioritise research and digitalisation to boost the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and to ensure food security.
In the education sector, Poland’s Presidency will continue to work towards building resilient and inclusive educational systems. Priorities include evaluating the first cycle of the European Education Area and setting priorities for 2025–2030, initiating discussions on the structure of EU education programmes beyond 2027, based on the evaluation of Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps programmes, and promoting academic mobility and the European Universities initiative.
Poland’s Presidency outlines an ambitious agenda across strategic areas such as security, research, education, and economic transformation.
In my mind, the most important priority topics for the Polish Presidency are the EU's energy and digital security. They are crucial to the complex geopolitical situation in Europe, and technical universities have much to offer in this area. Therefore, we should seek to ensure that the participation of technical universities in this activity will be recognised as essential in creating the current and future security of the EU.
A challenging problem to implement, that needs more time than one Presidency of the Council of the EU, is to change the trend related to innovation and competitiveness of the European economy, especially in key areas such as microelectronics, AI, and defence-related technologies. Changes in these areas should take place in close cooperation with technical universities, which, in addition to technological development, are vital for ensuring that appropriately trained personnel can support industrial development.
Last but not least, let us work together in CESAER to support the Polish Presidency in its efforts to counteract brain drain, causing us to lose ground to other innovative economies by failing to preserve here in Europe the intellectual potential of technical universities. The publication of our association’s research careers report in December was a substantial step forward, and there remains much to do at both European and national levels. Attracting, training and retaining, here in Europe, top talent in science and technology underpins much of Europe’s capability to confidently navigate through crisis, cooperation, and innovation, and should remain a key priority. I look forward to working with all of you, as the CESAER Envoy, to advance these areas together with the Polish Presidency.
Mariusz Malinowski
Vice Rector for Research and Professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (Warsaw University of Technology)
CESAER Envoy to the Polish Presidency
Contact details are available via the website of Warsaw University of Technology
We use both our own cookies and those of carefully selected partners we collaborate with.
Check out our detailed Cookie policy » and our Privacy policy » .