The Statistical Office of the European Union, Eurostat, reported that in November 2022, the unemployment rate in Poland was 3 per cent. We are on the podium of countries with the lowest unemployment in the EU. Thanks to our actions, employers are not only maintaining jobs but also creating new ones. We have reduced CIT from 19 per cent to 9 per cent for entrepreneurs, and for employees, we have reduced income tax from 17 per cent to 12 per cent, raised the minimum wage and the hourly rate.

This year marks the 550th anniversary of the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus. On this occasion, the World Copernican Congress is being held in Toruń. This is a very important event for Polish science. It is attended by several hundred eminent scientists and guests. During the Congress, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki met with the Nobel Prize winners in physics. The event also honoured all Polish scientists who have contributed to the development and expansion of knowledge over the years. The Prime Minister also attended the presentation of a painting of Nicolaus Copernicus in a new version. The government cares about Polish monuments, and to this end, the Prime Minister decided to provide financial support to secure the painting.

The government is watching over the energy security of Poland and Polish families. Access to heating in every home is a fundamental human right. During his visit to Toruń, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki met with local government officials from the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship to discuss the distribution of coal and government-local government cooperation. Nearly one million tonnes of coal have already been distributed to the municipalities participating in the coal distribution programme. The Prime Minister also attended another Coal Committee session to discuss plans for the coming months.

The COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's barbaric aggression against Ukraine have undermined the foundations of the world as we have known it so far, and globalisation has changed its course. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki attended the 53rd World Economic Forum, a platform where world leaders discussed current challenges. The head of the Polish government met with key business and political figures including the CEOs of Intel, Coca-Cola and ArcelorMittal. The Prime Minister also took part in a panel discussion on the use of technology in tackling crises, as well as a panel on security and strategic investment projects. The Davos Forum is an opportunity for talks and discussions that give rise to new ideas and concepts in economic governance. Moreover, it is a chance to attract new investors to Poland.

We support local governments throughout Poland. Thanks to government programmes, funds flow to all municipalities, cities and smaller towns. As part of the Government Fund for Local Investments, funds go to investments that are close to the people. These include the reconstruction of nearby roads, the retrofitting of hospitals, the construction of nurseries or the renovation of libraries. PLN 13.2 billion has already been allocated for this purpose. To date, there have also been five editions of the Government Strategic Investment Programme – a total of PLN 63.4 billion has been allocated for non-returnable co-financing of investments. Additional funds are also granted to large cities, such as Warsaw, Gdańsk and Kraków.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki held a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron. The leaders touched on current issues concerning bilateral Polish-French cooperation and cooperation within the EU. They also discussed, among other things, joint activities related to aid for Ukraine.

At a press conference, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki shared his initial findings on the current situation in Croatia. On 1 January 2023, Croatia joined not only the Schengen area but also the euro area. The change of currency, from the Croatian kuna to the euro, is currently causing great turmoil - the prices of many services and goods have risen dramatically in a short period and the Croatian government has to intervene. We can clearly see that in a time of global crisis, such a step as the change of currency has compounded many negative effects within the economy - most notably inflation. In Poland, the government is working to bring the wages of Poles up to the standard of richer Western European countries. Only then will it be possible to possibly discuss the adoption of the European currency in our country.

The labour market is changing, and the needs of employees and employers are also changing rapidly. Therefore, we must also transform our regulations that protect the labour market and, above all, the employee. The Council of Ministers has adopted a draft amendment to the Labour Code. This concerns, among other things, unpaid care leave, which will amount to five days per year, and the extension of parental leave.

The end of the 20th century brought Europe a victory of freedom and democracy over the communist tyranny imposed by Moscow. Almost simultaneously with Poland's transformation, political changes also arrived in former Czechoslovakia. The overthrow of communist rule and subsequently the formation of two independent states in 1993 sealed the wind of change in our part of Europe. Today, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki met in Bratislava with Prime Minister Eduard Heger of Slovakia to jointly celebrate the 30th anniversary of the independence of Slovakia. This is an extremely important day for our neighbours - a shared history builds shared perspectives in the present day.

Ukraine has been under Russian attack for more than ten months. The destruction, as a result of Russian attacks, is significant. The Kremlin continues its efforts to cut off defenceless civilians from electricity, heat, food or running water. Poland is determined to continue its support to the fighting Ukraine. Thanks to our international efforts, Patriot systems will be delivered to Ukraine, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced.