The Minister, together with Deputy Minister Jan Szyszko, presented the priorities of the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy in connection with the Polish Presidency of the EU Council at a press conference.

Today, we as the government, as Poland and as citizens of the Republic, officially inaugurate the beginning of the Polish Presidency of the European Union. This is a very important time for all of us. For the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy, this is a particularly important time, both because of the Presidency itself and because it overlaps with a key moment of talks about the future of EU funds, the priorities and architecture of EU resources and their investment beyond 2027,

the Minister for Development Funds and Regional Policy, Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz stressed. 

In the coming months, which coincide with the Polish Presidency of the EU Council, Poland will become a co-architect of a new model for building European funds. Negotiations between the Member States and the European Commission on the EU budget for 2028-2034 are already underway. 

We enter these talks with four clear priorities. Firstly: to maintain the sustainable development of the European Union, which means retaining the specific role of local authorities. Poland has its own position here, justified by its example. Secondly: EU funds must be linked to reforms coordinated at the European level, but the key decision on the nature of these reforms should remain with the member states. Thirdly: security and investment related to the border with very difficult neighbours, which is the border of Poland and the entire EU. Finally, fourth: assertive support for European production and competitiveness. However, we must take into account not only large corporations, but also small and medium-sized enterprises, which constitute the DNA of the Polish economy,

said Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz. 

Discussions, during which the priorities of the MDFRP for the Polish Presidency of the Council will be presented and discussed, will take place during a series of meetings and events to be held both in Poland and at the headquarters of the EU institutions in Brussels.

As part of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council, our Ministry envisages the organisation of 10 events, seven of which will be of an expert nature. The first of these will begin as early as 30 January 2025 in Krakow. It is a two-day international conference entitled Development in European terms. What is the development policy for a secure, resilient and globally competitive European Union?. Several hundred guests are expected at the event, including decision-makers in the field of European Union investment policy,

said Deputy Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy Jan Szyszko. 

Events organised by the MDFRP during the Presidency

Below is a list of events that the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy will be organising in the next six months:

1. The Meeting of Directors-General for Cohesion Policy, 15-16 January, Warsaw. High-level expert debate on the shape of cohesion policy after 2027. 
2. The international conference entitled Development in European terms. What development policy for a secure, resilient and globally competitive European Union?", 30-31 January, ICE Kraków. One of the seven flagship conferences of the Polish government. Two-day debate on the role of cohesion policy in strengthening the security, resilience and global competitiveness of the European Union.
3. Expert seminar: The future of cohesion and territorial approaches in an evolving European Union. In search of a new paradigm!, 27-28 February, Gdańsk. The aim of the event is to hold an informal debate on cohesion in the context of future EU policies, including post-2027 cohesion policy.
4. Urban Development Group meeting, 13 March, Bydgoszcz. A meeting of experts from EU Member States as part of intergovernmental cooperation in urban affairs. 
5. General Affairs Council meeting in cohesion format, 28 March, Brussels. A political debate on solutions for cohesion policy after 2027 and the adoption of Council conclusions.
6. Expert conference on financing the construction of the revised TEN-T network, 8-9 April, Lublin.
7. A meeting of Directors-General for Territorial Cohesion, 24 April, Warsaw. Summary of the review of the EU Territorial Agenda 2030 and preparation of recommendations for territorial cohesion in the EU.
8. OECD Regional Development Policy Committee meeting at ministerial level, 19-20 May, Warsaw.
9. Informal meeting of ministers for cohesion policy, urban policy and the territorial dimension, 20-21 May, Warsaw.
10. URBACT Monitoring Committee, 12-13 June, Malbork. A cyclical meeting of the Committee, comprising representatives of the national administrations of the EU Member States, Associated States and Ukraine and Moldova, which coordinates the implementation of the URBACT programme.