The beginning of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council
07 July 2011 News
There have to be more interaction between European and national activities. Interaction is essential for efficiency and modernization of major European policy areas. That said the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in presenting the program of the Polish EU Presidency, which will focus on three main priorities:
The European integration as a source of growth
The aim is to stimulate economic growth through the development of the internal market and the use of the EU budget to build a more competitive Europe by establishing a new model of economic governance and the European mechanism for stabilization to avoid recurrence of the crisis. An important element in achieving this goal is to promote the development of small and medium enterprises by facilitating access to capital.
Secure Europe
Strengthening the security in different directions - among the most important are increasing macroeconomic security, energy security and a common energy policy, reforming the agricultural policy and ensuring food safety, enhance security at Europe’s borders and protect the environment. An important element of the Polish presidency will be to strengthen EU military capabilities.
Europe benefits from openness
Emphasis will be placed on further EU enlargement to Western Balkans, development of cooperation within the Eastern Partnership, and support for democratic transformations in the countries of the South Dimension - North Africa and the Middle East. The expected summit organized by the Polish Presidency in September to accept fundamental decisions relating to the principles of cooperation within the Eastern Partnership. Special attention will be given to Ukraine, Moldova and the observance of democratic principles and human rights in Belarus.
Polish Presidency will cooperate closely with the future Danish and Cypriot Presidencies to carry out an eighteen months joint European program. It must ensure continuity in the spirit of cooperation and constructive dialogue to achieve the maximum effect of the planned activities of the EU Council.
In the Year of Central and Eastern Europe, our countries have their unique opportunity - their priorities to be heard by all
"We are in the middle of the year for Central and Eastern Europe in the EU. This provides a unique opportunity for our region's priorities, for the new members, who walked a difficult but successful path of transformation from communism to democracy, to be heard by all and laid down as foundation of European policies. ", Said Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolay Mladenov of Bulgaria at the presentation of the priorities and challenges for the Polish presidency of the EU organized by the European Institute.
The priorities of the Polish Presidency were presented by Ms. Grazyna Bernatovich, Deputy State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland. She stressed out, that Poland sees the future of the EU and its role in the achievement of "economic growth, security and openness."
The priorities of the Polish Presidency are largely reflecting the priorities that are important to our country, said Minister Mladenov. In terms of structuring the debate on the EU budget for the next financial perspective, as important for Bulgaria's foreign minister set to maintain the current structure of European Cohesion Policy - a basic tool that allows countries in transition to catch up the delay in economic development and building future agricultural policy that reflects the realities of each country. "At a time when Europe is faced with various forms of pressures inside and outside, to be more protectionist set, it is important to remember that its success was due to integration and proper functioning of the single internal market" added Mladenov.
As important priorities for our country, the Foreign Minister also highlighted energy security and diversification of energy sources, associated with the security of nuclear facilities, the future of the regulation FRONTEX, the development of European defense and Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area.
"Open Europe to the world for Bulgaria is to not forget the main priorities and commitments, we have in support of EU enlargement to our neighbors in the Balkans", said Nickolay Mladenov, and reaffirmed the support of our country in this process. In his speech, the Bulgarian Foreign Minister described as extremely important to Europe's relationship with its eastern neighbors as well as with Arab countries that are at the beginning of its way to democratic reforms, and countries like Bulgaria and Poland have already walked the path of transition have the opportunity to help these future reforms.