Overall growth, security and openness of the EU- main priorities of Polish Presidency of the EU Council

“Throughout the years, presidency countries have always brought its own unique experience, its priorities and atmosphere into the European policy- making ’kitchen’. Poland is not exception. Being the largest Central European country to join the EU in 2004 and one of the fastest growing European economies today, it has a special role to play. Poland is also at the heart of the highly successful Višegrad Group regional co-operation – something we would like to see copied in the Western Balkans in full” said Acting Head of the EU Delegation to BiH, Renzo Daviddi on Thursday, announcing Poland’s six-month-long Presidency of the EU Council

“Bosnia and Herzegovina can learn a lot from Poland about the complex transition process related to the EU accession. Therefore, Poland can help this country to develop politically and economically”, added Daviddi.

“However”, said Daviddi “I would like to see BiH Government fulfilling its obligations to the EU and filing membership application during Polish Presidency. Enhanced EU presence in BiH, which also means new Head of Delegation with a strong mandate of EU Special Representative and much larger political and economic team, will do all in its powers to assist the new authorities”.

On this occasion, both Acting Head of EUD Renzo Daviddi and Polish ambassador in BiH, Jerzy Chmielewski reiterated EU- related priorities that need to be addressed by the new BiH government: amendment of Constitution in order to comply with the ruling of the European Court on Human Rights, adoption of the State aid law. These priorities stem directly from commitments that BiH took over by signing the SAA and Interim Agreement. In addition, adoption of a state level census law will be important for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s next integration steps.

Polish ambassador in BiH, Jerzy Chmielewski, pointed out that Presidency of the EU Council represents a very important task, but the EU Delegation represents the interests of the EU and, in a way, acts as the EU embassy.

Along with Denmark and Cyprus, Poland will preside to the EU Council until 2012.on the principles of rotating presidency, added the Ambassador.

According to Ambassador Chmielewski,.there are three main priorities of the Polish Presidency:  European integration as Source of Growth, Secure  Europe  and Europe benefiting from  openness.

Talking about the growth, Ambassador Chmielewski said that the Polish Presidency will engage in actions to enhance economic growth through the development of the Single Market (which includes digital market) and the use of the EU budget to build a competitive EU on global market.

“The growth is related to the new EU budget covering the period 2014 -2020. The budget will determine the future of the EU in the next decade and solidarity will represent a main principle in budget adoption ”, said the Ambassador.

As far as the security is concerned, Ambassador Chmielewski emphasised that it is related to security of citizens, institutions, but also to security of energy-generating supply as well as to security of citizen freedom and freedom of movement.

Talking about the EU openness as one of the most important principles, Ambassador Chmielewski said: “Our intention is that Croatia, Turkey, Island and Serbia, but also BiH make a significant progress in their cooperation with the EU. We expect that Croatia will start with the membership procedures; we also expect progress in negotiations with Turkey, Island and Serbia in obtaining their candidate status. As we have already mentioned BiH has two most important issues to deal with”

On this occasion exhibition of the Polish art-posters – films, literature and music was set up in the EU Delegation building in Sarajevo.

More info on the Polish Presidency of the EU Council available at: http://pl2011.eu/en

Europa.ba