Poland in the EU

Foreign policy and external actions include EU relations with third countries (both bilateral and multilateral) and a number of horizontal issues, regarding instruments of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (e.g. sanctions), the European Neighborhood Policy, development and humanitarian aid, and international protection of human rights.

Head of Section:

Weronika Frydryszek: weronika.frydryszek@msz.gov.pl

The Justice and home affairs section deals with issues – of political and technical nature – within the area of freedom, security and justice, namely:

• EU migration and asylum policy – internal and external dimensions;
• EU visa policy;
• management of EU external borders and Schengen zone;
• police cooperation, including fight against terrorism;
• civil protection and crisis management;
• judicial cooperation in civil matters;
• judicial cooperation in criminal matters.

Head of Section:

Alicja Szastko​​​​​​: alicja.szastko@msz.gov.pl

Budget and Finance responsibilities include:

• ECOFIN Council preparations;
• deepening of Economic and Monetary Union;
• cooperation with the European Investment Bank;
• macrofinancial assistance to third countries;
• negotiations of Multiannual Financial Frameworks;
• annual EU budget;
• financial control;
• accounting;
• financial statistics;
• indirect Taxation - VAT and excise duties;
• gambling;
• direct taxation, financial transaction tax;
• anti-money laundering and terrorist financing;
• Banking Union;
• financial stability;
• insurance;
• Capital Markets Union;
• retail products;
• customs affairs;
• anti-fraud;
• World Customs Organization (WCO).

Head of Section:

Tomasz Woźnicki​​​​: tomasz.woznicki@msz.gov.pl

The Economic and Trade section represents Poland in the working parties and committees of the Council of the European Union that prepare the meetings of the Council of Ministers regarding competitiveness (industry, internal market, better regulation), trade, energy, competition and consumers, tourism and construction. The Section covers all topics that are the responsibility of the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, the Office of Competition and Consumer protection (with the exception of topics related to agriculture and fishery policy) as well as energy-related issues that are under the purview of the Ministry of Climate and Environment.

Our main areas of interest are:

Competitiveness

• industrial policy, including industrial intellectual property
• horizontal internal market
• better regulation
• SME policy
• technical harmonization
• space policy​​​​​​
• construction

Trade

• World Trade Organization (WTO), including multilateral and plurilateral agreements
• bilateral trade agreements
• trade defence (anti-dumping, anti-subsidy, safeguards)
• trade in goods, services and investment protection
• textile and steel trade, commodities
• EU cooperation with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein and Switzerland as part of EFTA or EEA, Andorra, San Marino and Monaco

Energy

• horizontal issues of energy policy
• climate and energy policy 2030
• energy security
• internal energy market, in particular electricity and gas
• energy grids and infrastructures
• renewable energies
• energy efficiency
• energy labelling and ecodesign
• external energy policies (incl. Energy Charter Treaty, Energy Community)
• energy technologies
• nuclear policy (nuclear safety and security, radiation protection, disposal)

Consumer policy, competition and state aid

Head of Section:

Aleksandra Kozłowska: aleksandra.kozlowska@msz.gov.pl

The Legal and institutional section deals with:

• providing opinions on existing and proposed EU legislation, case law of the Court of Justice of the EU and formal and legal aspects of concluding international agreements;
• participation in works on institutional matters, including those related to Brexit;
• coordination of infringement proceedings carried out by the Commission, as well as horizontal matters examined by EU judicial authorities;
• promotion of and contact with Poles in the EU institutions.

Head of Section:

Marcin Nowacki​​​​​​: marcin.nowacki@msz.gov.pl

Areas of activity:

• Direct payments
• Agriculture and rural development
• Common market organization
• Promotion of agricultural products
• EU quality policy
• Organic farming
• Food safety, animal & plant health and zootechnics

Direct payments

The direct payments system is one of the two main pillars of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Introduced for the first time in 1992 to recompense for the loss of income due to the abolition of the guaranteed market price system, they have been evolving in correlation with the challenges faced by the EU’s agriculture. Throughout the years direct payments have become decoupled with the production; the requirements imposed on the beneficiaries - farmers have been gradually linked with the obligations related to environmental protection, animal welfare and food safety. In recent years, the successive reforms have made the direct payments more sustainable i.e. acknowledging economic, environmental and social aspects. Hence, within direct payments system, there is a compulsory system of the reduction of payments for the biggest farms (capping) linked with the redistributive payment for small and medium holdings, obligatory requirement of crop rotation, obligatory dedication of the part of farms land to Ecological Focus Area meant to increase the biodiversity, as well as the additional payments to young framers. The latest proposal for the CAP reform for the period 2021-2027 continues earlier policy lines and introduces, among others, new pro-ecological elements such as ecoschemes which are payments for farmers choosing to apply additional practices beneficial for environment and climate.

Agriculture and rural development

Apart from direct payments, under the Common Agricultural Policy farmers may receive support for improvement of living conditions and competitiveness on rural areas.

The support is available within four areas: (1) support for commitments under voluntary agri-environment-climate measures; (2) support of farms development through investments, additional economic activity, services; (3) support for rural development via rural infrastructure, to make rural areas more attractive and viable and provide villages with good prospects; (4) Support for implementation of LEADER strategy via financing local development strategies by Local Action Groups as broad civic involvement.

Common market organisation

Provides framework for functioning of the EU agriculture on the single market. It includes market instruments which for example help to stabilize agricultural markets and prevent market crises, aim at assist Union agricultural sectors to better adapt to changes, improve functioning of supply chain and regulate some aspects of international trade and improve demand. Public intervention, aid for private storage and exceptional measures launched when a specific aid is needed are the market intervention instruments. Common market organisation consists also of specific support schemes for certain sectors, for example support programs for apiculture, wine, fruit and vegetables as well as marketing standards for certain sectors. An important element is also monitoring of market situation developments, which serves to improve market transparency and supplements market measures.

Promotion of agricultural products

EU promotion policy aims to inform about qualities of food produced in the EU and to open new markets. Union resources are designated to co-finance promotion campaigns in third countries and on internal markets.

EU quality policy

EU quality policy aims at protecting the names of products manufactured in the EU which have unique features. They are linked to the products’ geographical origin or traditional way of production. Policy includes quality indicators such as protected designation of origin, protected geographical indication and traditional speciality guaranteed. National or private certification schemes are also part of quality policy. They confirm status of products meeting higher standards.

Organic farming

Organic farming aims to produce food using natural substances and processes to limit negative environmental impact. It combines the maintenance of biodiversity, responsible use of natural resources and energy as well as high standard of animal welfare. Organic farming is more and more popular alternative to conventional agriculture. The demand for organic products is growing.

Food safety, animal & plant health and zootechnics

Every European citizen has the right to know how the food she / he eats is produced, processed, packaged, labelled and sold.

The central goal of the EU Food Safety policy is to ensure a high level of protection of human health regarding the food industry. Its primary principle is to apply an integrated approach from farm to fork covering all sectors of the food chain.

The objective of the EU Animal Health policy is to raise the health status and improve the conditions of the animals in the EU, in particular food-producing animals, whilst permitting intra-Union trade and imports of animals and animal products in accordance with the appropriate health standards and international obligations.

The general aim of the EU Animal Welfare policy is to ensure that animals do not need to endure avoidable pain or suffering and obliges the owner/keeper of animals to respect minimum welfare requirements.

The EU zootechnical legislation aims at the promotion of free trade in breeding animals and their genetic material considering the sustainability of breeding programs and preservation of genetic resources.

The EU takes actively part in the setting of international phytosanitary and quality standards for plants and plant products.

EU legislation has, over the years, provided for the harmonised protection of Union’s 'green resources' by regulating the issues like pesticides use, plant variety rights or Genetically Modified Organisms.

Head of Section:

Magdalena Montaigu: magdalena.montaigu@msz.gov.pl

Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) forms an integral part of Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU (CFSP). It includes the progressive framing of a common Union defence policy and provides the Union with an operational capacity drawing on civilian and military assets. The Union may use that capacity to execute missions outside the Union for peace-keeping, conflict prevention and strengthening international security. The CSDP is put into effect by external military operations and missions as well as civilian missions, the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) for those Member States which are ready to make additional security- and defence-related commitments, coordination of development of defence capacities of Member States, stimulating cooperation of their defence industries, and developing their civilian crisis response capacities for use outside of the Union. CSDP does not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of Member States and respects their obligations related to their membership in NATO.

The goals of CSDP are also pursued through other actions, including those within CFSP, such as: countering hybrid threats, cyber threats and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, export control of weapons and military equipment and external actions to counter terrorism.

Head of Section:

Katarzyna Ananicz: katarzyna.ananicz@msz.gov.pl

The Environmental Policy Section represents Poland in the Working Party for Environment of the Council of the European Union and covers areas that are the responsibility of the Ministry of Climate.

The main areas of activities focus on:

EU climate policy and legislation

• 2030 Climate and Energy policy
• EU Climate Law

EU environmental policy and legislation

• Environment Action Programme
• Air quality
• Industrial emissions
• Waste management
• Circular economy
• Biodiversity
• Chemicals
• EU horizontal environmental legislation

European Green Deal

LIFE Programme for the Environment and Climate Change

Infringements

Cooperation with the European Parliament within its field of competence

Head of Section:

Aleksander Zieliński: aleksander.zielinski@msz.gov.pl

Within the Permanent Representation of Poland to the European Union, the Transport Policy Section follows the activities of the European Union with regard to the following key areas:

• road and rail transport
• aviation
• development of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T)
• horizontal issues in transport, such as digitalisation and decarbonisation
• motor vehicles
• postal services

Head of Section:

Łukasz Wojtas: lukasz.wojtas@msz.gov.pl 

The Digital Affairs Section represents Poland in the working parties and committees of the Council of the European Union that prepare the meetings of the Council of Ministers regarding digital single market (telecommunications and information society, cybersecurity, personal data protection, non-personal data policy, digital platforms and electronic communication services). The Section covers all topics that are the responsibility of the Ministry of Digital Affairs and the Office of Electronic Communications.

Section's activities and interests focus on:

• telecommunications, including satellite navigation
• information society
• cybersecurity policy (civil)
• e-government
• digital skills
• internet governance
• personal data protection and data flows
• data policy
• digital platforms
• edge digital technologies
• European Citizens’Initiative

Head of Section:

Katarzyna Prusak-Górniak: katarzyna.prusak-gorniak@msz.gov.pl

• Cohesion policy and structural funds, urban policy
• European Regional Development Fund
• European Social Fund
• Cohesion Fund
• Connecting Europe Facility and Invest EU
• Just Transition Fund
• European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg),
• Macro-regional strategies
• European Semester, Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP) 

Structural Actions Working Party (B.05), Working Party on Outermost Regions, Friends of the Presidency (Macro-regional strategies); Working Party on Preparation for International Development Conferences (UN HABITAT, C.31); Expert Group on European Structural Investment Funds (EGESIF); Expert Group on Territorial Cohesion and Urban Matters (EGTCUM); Coordination Committee for the European Structural and Investment Funds (COESIF)

Head of Section:

Monika Groszkowska: monika.groszkowska@msz.gov.pl

Within the Permanent Representation of Poland to the European Union, Social Politics, Employment and Equal Opportunities Section follows the activities of the European Union with regard to the following key areas:

• Social dialogue
• Employment policy
• The issues concerning people with disabilities
• Europe 2020 strategy and the next strategy
• The fight against poverty and social exclusion
• Equal treatment of women and men and non-discrimination
• Occupational health and safety
• Coordination of social security systems
• Retirement issues
• Labour law
• Free movement of workers
• Freedom to provide services in the context of posting of workers
• ILO - EU relations

Head of Section:

Michał Drozdowicz: michal.drozdowicz@msz.gov.pl

Culture, audiovisual policy and copyright

• represents Poland in auxiliary bodies of the Council: Cultural Affairs Committee (CAC), Working Party on Audiovisual Policy and Working Party on Intellectual Property - Copyright;
• participates in legislative and non-legislative works related to the competence of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage;
• takes part in preparations of selected aspects of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (Culture).

Culture & Audiovisual Policy Attaché:

Katarzyna Kuza: katarzyna.kuza@msz.gov.pl

Health section  (health attaché) – area of competence: EU health policy and activities ensuring high level protection of human health.

1. In the area in which the EU adopts legal acts harmonizing provisions on the high standards of quality and safety of:

• pharmaceuticals;
• medical devices;
• organs and substances of human origin, blood and blood derivatives

2. In the area in which the EU supports/coordinates the national policies of Member States on improving public health policies (promotion and protection of health, disease prevention and treatment, vaccination, combating antibiotic resistance, cross-border services (access of patients to cross-border healthcare, e -health, European Reference Networks), protecting people from tobacco consumption and alcohol misuse, monitoring cross-border health threats, international cooperation with health organizations).

Legislative proposals/EU positions in the area of health are discussed during the meetings of:

• Council Working Party on Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices
• Council Working Party on Public Health

Health Attaché:

Ewa Piasecka: ewamagdalena.piasecka@msz.gov.pl

Maritime Economy, Water Resources

The Maritime, Fisheries and Inland Waterways Section represents Poland in the working groups on fisheries, maritime transport and inland navigation and environment, in the part related to water resources management. The section prepares the Council of Ministers in the areas of fisheries, maritime transport, shipping and water management. The section is responsible for the topics under the responsibility of the Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation. The section cooperates with the Parliamentary Committees for Fisheries, Transport and the Environment within its field of competence.

The main areas of activity of the Maritime, Fisheries and Inland Waterways Section:

Maritime Transport

• development of maritime transport, port infrastructure and the infrastructure providing access to ports
• TEN-T network in relation with seaports and Motorways of the Sea
• maritime safety and security
• maritime education

Inland Navigation

• development of inland waterways
• revision of the TEN-T network
• European Green Deal

Maritime Economy and Integrated Maritime Policy

• blue growth
• marine knowledge
• shipbuilding
• integrated maritime surveillance
• sea-basin strategies

Fisheries

• Common Fisheries Policy
• Aquaculture
• Fish processing and market related issues
• EMFF

Water Resources Management

• protection and rational use of water resources
• water and sewage management  
• flood and drought prevention

Head of Section:

Krystian Królik: krystian.krolik@msz.gov.pl

For the research and innovation policy unit the main areas of activity are:

• European Research Area;
• EU Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation: Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe;
• Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM);
• Joint Research Center.

Research Attaché:

Agata Janaszczyk: agata.janaszczyk@msz.gov.pl

The EP-team of the Permanent Representation monitors plenary sessions and meetings of the European Parliament's committees, maintains good relations with the MEPs, the EP President's office and the General Secretariat of the European Parliament.

Within the Permanent Representation, the EP-team supports other units in their relations with the European Parliament.

Furthermore, an EP-Team representative participates in the work and meetings of the Working Party on General Affairs in the Council that deals with written questions from the European Parliament, its proposals and issues of an inter-institutional nature.

Head of Section:

Łukasz Wielocha: lukasz.wielocha@msz.gov.pl

The PermRep's team member responsible for strategic analysis, public diplomacy and promotion focuses on:

• proposing and implementing initiatives (projects / seminars / conferences) in the spirit of cooperation between the PermRep and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with expert communities in Brussels and back home in relation to Poland's priority areas; 
• planning and organizing projects aimed at developing multilateral relations in respect of public and cultural diplomacy by creating a positive image of the Republic of Poland on the European scene;
• activities promoting  knowledge about Poland;
• monitoring and analyzing the processes taking place in the EU, following the development of the EU debate in the expert environment (think tanks and other analytical centers) with particular emphasis on EU foreign and security policy, and identifies goals and challenges for Poland;
• cooperating and consulting current events and the EU agenda with expert circles to deepen knowledge and increase the flow of information;

Public Diplomacy Attaché:

Jakub Krawczyk: jakub.krawczyk@msz.gov.pl