A meeting between members of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Poland and the College of EU Commissioners was held in Gdańsk. The discussions focused on the priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The participants discussed the key challenges facing the Union and the EU Council's work plan until the end of June 2025.

The path to competitiveness must not lead through increasing regional disparities or poverty. Prosperity should not only be understood from the macroeconomic perspective, but also in terms of increasing the well-being of individuals regardless of where they live. And this is where the achievements of cohesion policy are indisputable,

said Minister for Funds and Regional Policy Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz.

Ministers and Commissioners deliberated at thematic tables called 'clusters' that were devoted to security, defence, international affairs, economy and competitiveness, prosperity and democratic resilience. Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz was the moderator of the Prosperity Cluster, which discussed cohesion policy, strengthening EU competitiveness and fair development for the EU and its Member States that leaves no one behind.

Prosperity is the foundation of European identity

The Prosperity cluster meeting discussed the pillars of the European development model, such as security, citizen wellbeing and social justice. Discussions included health security, food security, the importance of rural development, the need to strengthen European research and innovation, senior citizen policy, digital transformation and its impact on people's lives.

Prosperity is more than just a standard of living – it is the foundation of European identity. It is a hallmark of the European Union and a model that shapes our way of life. At the centre of this model are the human beings – their needs, the environment in which they live and the principle of equitable development. It is about ensuring that no one is left behind and that everyone has an equal opportunity to live in dignity,

Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz said.

Co-moderated by the European Commission's Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reform, Raffaele Fitto, the conversation was attended by ministers (MH, MARD, MFLSP, MSHE, Minister of Senior Polish) and EU Commissioners, including the Executive Vice-President for Social Rights, Skills, Quality Jobs and Readiness, Roxana Mînzatu. 

Cohesion and competitiveness: two pillars of European success

The Polish Presidency emphasises the harmonisation of cohesion policy with growth priorities. During the Prosperity cluster meeting, ministers and commissioners discussed ways to increase EU competitiveness without deepening regional and social divisions. The discussion referred to recent reports on the future of the single market and the role of cohesion policy in rebuilding the European economy.

Cohesion policy and stronger regions are key factors in increasing the EU's economic security and resilience,

said Minister K. Pełczyńska-Nałęcz.

According to the Minister, competitiveness and cohesion should be complementary and mutually reinforcing. Achieving cohesion should be one of the EU's strategic objectives and a tool for strengthening EU competitiveness.

Combating social exclusion and poverty in the EU

The discussion also focused on the fact that prosperity is not only about economic development, but above all about caring for people – especially the most vulnerable, such as seniors and children. Equally important is food security, access to education and support for innovative research. The fight against social exclusion and poverty is crucial, as Minister K. Pełczyńska-Nałęcz emphasised.

The meeting of the Council of Ministers with the College of EU Commissioners in Gdańsk was another step in the implementation of the Polish Presidency's priorities. The cluster meetings concluded with a plenary session (chaired by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen).