During the six-month long Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union, the management of MEDT chaired 5 official meetings of the EU Council for Competitiveness (ministers competent for internal market and industry and ministers competent for space) and Trade. More than 180 meetings of working groups and committees and more than 70 trilogues under the competency of MEDT were held.  The presidency program covered the organisation of 23 events in Poland attended by more than 3 thousand persons. These included among others: Single Market Forum, EU Industry Days 2025, European Space Days, Market Access Day, Polish Renovation Wave: challenges and solutions. 

Effects of the Polish presidency from MEDT perspective.

Strengthening the EU Single Market – a breakthrough in services and posting

The Polish presidency prioritised strengthening the foundations of the EU Single Market, especially in the area of free movement of services. The effects of measures taken in this area have brought a significant breakthrough after the long-term impasse in service market integration. Adopting of the position on draft regulation on e-declaration for posted workers by the Council was a success. The regulation will streamline service provision in the EU and reduce bureaucracy. This is the first initiative in many years that may significantly improve the transboundary services. 

The highlight of the Polish presidency was publishing by the European Commission of the new Single Market Strategy containing the action plan for the service sector. The Strategy reflects the conclusions derived from works of the Polish presidency on the barriers existing in the Single Market. 

Facilitations for entrepreneurs

Poland has effectively promoted implementation of the regulatory simplifications. The “stop the clock” initiative, which postponed the ESG reporting and due diligence obligations, was agreed in a record time of 2 months.

The Polish presidency succeeded in adopting the Council position on simplifying the due diligence requirements in corporate sustainability reporting. The scope of directive was amended – the new regulations will cover only the largest companies (at least 5000 employees and EUR 1.5 billion turnover). Also the obligation to implement climate plans was repealed. The Council position on postponing the due diligence obligations in the battery industry was adopted. The works on regulations facilitating the activity of the companies in the defence sector were launched.

The works of the Competitiveness Council have led to identification of subsequent areas of the European law that require deregulation. The European Commission has already confirmed its plans to publish so called omnibuses on chemicals and environmental regulations. 

The Polish presidency called also for the need of consistent application of better regulation principle, to make it business friendly and not excessively burdensome from the early stage of the legislative process. 

Industry and competitiveness 

There was a change in discourse on the future of industrial policy during the Polish presidency. Enhancing competitiveness of traditionally strong industries, such as steel, chemical, fertiliser and automotive sectors, was prioritised. The Competitiveness Council drew a conclusion on the need to adopt a pragmatic approach to the methods of delivering the objectives in the field of industry decarbonisation, which affects the plans to revise the energy and climate policy instruments, including for example CBAM (carbon border adjustment mechanism). The need to ensure a level playing field for companies from all Member States in context of access to financial instruments and state aid rules was strongly stressed.  

The Competitiveness Council has also undertaken the measures to break down the silo-based approach, by associating the industrial policy-related issues with among others security and trade policy instruments. The real dimension of these measures was organising the first joint informal meeting of the ministers competent for internal market and industry and ministers competent for trade. 

The negotiations on the regulations on: toy safety, detergents and compulsory licences were completed. These provisions will improve consumer safety and prepare the EU for crisis situations. 

Trade policy and economic security

The Polish presidency focused on unity, competitiveness and security in trade policy. Poland supported the Commission in consistent de-escalation, mutual liberalisation of trade as well as assertive protection of the European industry. 

Poland has explicitly opted for transparent trade rules based on the WTO system. 
In the competitiveness area, the negotiations on digital trade agreement with South Korea were concluded. The Council adopted also the decision on signing the digital trade agreement with Singapore. 

The Polish presidency has led to the adoption of the Council position on the revised foreign direct investment screening regulation, one of the most important initiatives under the EU Economic Security Strategy. 

The measures undertaken by the Polish presidency in the area of protecting the investments and controlling export of strategic technologies have also contributed to the enhanced economic security of the EU. 

Successes in the defence sector 

The Polish presidency succeeded in adopting the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) financial instrument. It provides the EU Member States with access to financial aid in the form of long-term loans guaranteed by the EU budget of the total amount of EUR 150 billion. These will be allocated for implementation of urgent and large public investments aimed at improving the security and defence by means of joint contracts and procurements implemented primarily by engaging the European defence sector. 

The Polish presidency prompted also the Council position on the regulation implementing the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) and launched the trilogue stage i.e, the negotiations with the European Parliament and the Commission on the final form of the provisions.   

Space policy

The presidency included the space sector to the security and innovation-related measures. The EU Council adopted the conclusions on the use of satellite data for civil protection and crisis management. 

Seasonal clock changes 

Poland has successfully resumed the discussion on suspending the seasonal clock changes in the EU. This issue has remained frozen in the Council agenda for 6 years. Owing to determination of the Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Poland opened the path to specific measures during its presidency. On request of Poland, the European Commission commenced preparations to assess the effects of abolishing the seasonal clock changes. 

 

With regard to the European Council summit on 26 – 27 June this year, the Polish presidency concluded the report summarising its achievements in the field of competitiveness.