Poland has officially started its second term as president of the European Union, taking over from Hungary on January 1, 2025. The country will hold the position for the next six months before handing it over to Denmark. During this period, Poland plans to tackle major EU issues, with a particular focus on security, energy, migration, and the enlargement of the Union.
Poland’s leadership comes at a time when the EU is facing several important challenges. Senior officials have highlighted that expanding the EU will be a top priority. This includes working towards integrating countries like Serbia, Albania, and Montenegro. Poland’s government believes that enlargement is essential for the future of the EU, aiming for a stronger, more united Europe.
“We are committed to advancing the EU’s enlargement process,” a government spokesperson said. “This is an important opportunity to lay the groundwork for bringing more countries into the Union.”
Alongside enlargement, Poland will focus on ensuring the security of EU borders, tackling migration issues, and addressing energy needs. These priorities are seen as essential for maintaining stability and unity across the bloc.
Hungary, which recently finished its EU presidency, made progress in talks with Albania and Montenegro. However, Hungary’s attempts to secure the opening of a key chapter in Serbia’s EU negotiations were blocked by some EU member states. This highlights the difficulty of reaching agreement on such issues.
Poland is now expected to pick up where Hungary left off, with a particular focus on Serbia. Prime Minister Donald Tusk had promised in 2024 that Poland would work to open EU negotiation chapters with Serbia during its presidency.
