Poolse minister over belangrijkste onderwerpen Europese Raad (en)

Minister for European Affairs Mikolaj Dowgielewicz represented the Presidency in the debate at the European Parliament dedicated to the preparation of the forthcoming European Council meeting on 23rd October in Brussels.

Discussion will focus on three main dimensions: economic policy of the European Union - in particular measures aimed at economic growth and competitiveness, preparing the EU position for the upcoming G20 summit to be held in Cannes from 2 to 4 November and preparation for the conference on climate change, to be held in Durban in late November and beginning of December.

The following are quotes from Minister Mikolaj Dowgielewicz’s speech at the plenary session:

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  Together with the President of the European Council, the Polish Presidency will do its outmost to ensure a successful European Summit. To this effect the Presidency will call an informal meeting of the ECOFIN i Council and the General Affairs Council prior to the European Council.
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  The Polish Presidency is confident that, on every point presented by the Commission today, we will be able to deliver and reassure the citizens and the market. We feel the weight of responsibility on our shoulders. We will put every effort before the 23rd to come out with the results which will strengthen the euro, the European Union and the community method.
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  The European Council will identify a number of key priorities for internal economic policy that have a significant impact on jobs and growth in the short to medium term. It will set specific timelines for the implementation of some of these key priorities, among others concerning the 12 priority proposals foreseen in the Single Market Act. Utmost priority will be given to those which can bring the most benefits to growth and jobs.
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  Regarding economic governance, the EU has now powerful tools to ensure that required measures are taken to pull Europe out of the crisis: the Europe 2020 strategy, the European Semester, the Euro Plus Pact and the package of six legislative proposals on economic governance. All must be fully and effectively applied.
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  The EU considers that the G20 should send a strong message of confidence at the Cannes Summit through an ambitious action plan with concrete commitments and measures from all G20 countries.
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  The European Union will work towards an ambitious and balanced outcome at the Durban conference, building upon what was agreed last year in Cancun. It is urgent to address the issue of the second commitment period under Kyoto Protocol i and agree on a process towards a legally binding framework by a clear time line.