Poland’s six-month presidency of the EU Council ends Sunday, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk highlighting defence spending and migration policies as key outcomes.
Poland will formally conclude its presidency of the European Union Council on June 30, after leading EU discussions since January 1, 2025.
At a press conference in Brussels on Thursday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged the challenges of the term, telling Prime Minister Donald Tusk, "Your presidency has been difficult, but you have made it."
Tusk focused his closing remarks on defence, saying Poland helped shift the EU’s mindset on security amid the current geopolitical climate.
"The EU was built on the belief that war would never return to Europe," Tusk said. "Breaking this naïve faith was not easy."
Tusk cited key achievements including securing 150 billion euros under the SAFE programme to boost Europe’s arms industry, and financial support for the 'Shield East' initiative along the EU’s eastern borders.
However, the presidency was not without controversy. Tusk’s government passed a law allowing temporary suspension of asylum applications, a move criticized by human rights groups as risking abuse and worsening conditions at the Polish-Belarusian border.
Tusk defended the law as an "unprecedented solution" to help Europe manage illegal migration.
European and Polish politicians reflected on the presidency’s difficult balance between security priorities and humanitarian concerns.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a public address on Sunday, urged citizens to stop purchasing foreign-made products and instead opt for local ...
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is set to meet with officials from Britain, France, and Germany, the so-called E3—in Vienna, as reported by Ir...
Max Verstappen took a dominant victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, further solidifying the belief in a Red Bull revival, as McLaren’s Lando Norris...
The 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying session at the Baku City Circuit was nothing short of a dramatic spectacle. With red flags, crashes, and hig...
Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have started air-defence patrols over Poland as part of NATO’s Eastern Sentry mission, following recent violations of Polish airspace by Russian drones.
Polish and allied aircraft were deployed early on Saturday to ensure the safety of Polish airspace after Russia launched airstrikes targeting western Ukraine near the border with Poland, armed forces of the NATO-member country said.
Two Russian fighter jets violated the safety zone of the Petrobaltic drilling platform in the Baltic sea, Polish Border Guards said on Friday, adding that the Armed Forces and other services had been notified.
Suspected fragments of a missile believed to have been used to shoot down a drone may have been found in the eastern Lublin region, Polish military police said, more than a week after Poland, backed by NATO jets, shot down Russian drones in its airspace.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Video from the USGS (United States Geological Survey) showed on Friday (19 September) the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii erupting and spewing lava.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a public address on Sunday, urged citizens to stop purchasing foreign-made products and instead opt for local ones, promoting a self-reliant campaign amid strained trade relations with the United States.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is set to meet with officials from Britain, France, and Germany, the so-called E3—in Vienna, as reported by Iran's state-run Nournews agency on Sunday.
Max Verstappen took a dominant victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, further solidifying the belief in a Red Bull revival, as McLaren’s Lando Norris reduced team-mate Oscar Piastri’s championship lead to 25 points.
The 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying session at the Baku City Circuit was nothing short of a dramatic spectacle. With red flags, crashes, and high tensions, the session delivered a chaotic build-up to race day.
The UK has officially recognised a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced in a video statement on social media. This follows Canada's move, becoming the first G7 nation to do so, with Australia also making a similar declaration.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment