A strong Poland means that a strong Europe is real: President Metsola

In the margins of Parliament’s Conference of Presidents’ visit to Warsaw ahead of the Polish EU Council Presidency, President Metsola delivered the following speech.

Keynote speech by EP President Roberta Metsola at a discussion organised by Polityka Insight

“Good afternoon everyone.

It is a pleasure to be here in beautiful Warsaw at this pivotal time for Europe. With the new College of Commissioners just starting their work, and Poland preparing to take on the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, there is no better time, and no better place, to set our priorities for the months ahead.

But shaping our agenda isn’t just putting a plan on paper. It is about the people we listen to and the perspectives we include. So let me start by thanking you not just for welcoming me, but for the open and honest dialogue, I know we will have.

Dear friends,

We all followed the United States elections and their results in November. The American people elected President Trump and I don’t think we should be surprised that his administration will pursue its own interests.

Frankly, the European people also elect their own leaders and what I can tell you is that we will do everything in our power to stand-up for European families, farmers, businesses and products. That is our responsibility and we will not shy away from it. We can do so in a manner that is a win-win for all of us.

How do we navigate this new reality? Do we turn against each other, spiralling into a protectionist race that hurts us both? Or do we inject a dose of political realism and focus on strengthening the transatlantic bond where it matters most?

My view is simple: instead of grandstanding in the areas where we may have different outlooks, we should be pushing for a stronger partnership on defence, on trade, on global affairs. But that means that we need to start acting rather than reacting. Trade wars, with higher tariffs and counter tariffs, benefit nobody - but that means we must be prepared and ready for any eventuality. And in that way my hope is that the US will see that America First cannot happen if it becomes America only.

My point is that Europe’s approach needs to be one of equals - and that means stepping up.

On security: It means doing more to meet our NATO obligations and more. It means boosting defence spending and building a Europe that is not just safer but stronger - ready for today’s challenges and equipped for tomorrow’s uncertainties.

It also means building a complementary security framework to NATO, by supporting our defence industry, reducing duplications and enhancing interoperability. That is why supporting Ukraine, why standing with a free and democratic Belarus, is not only about altruism: it is about our security, Europe’s security, and the entire global security architecture. Poland understands this better than anyone.

From Georgia to Crimea to Belarus, you warned us about Russia for years. And even when it might have felt like no one was listening, you stood firm. Since day one of Russia’s illegal war on Ukraine, Poland has led and continues to lead on defence and security. Poland understands that Europe’s level of readiness must match the level of the threat. And the threat is real.

On trade: it is time for bolder ambition. Our strength lies in open, fair trade, based on international rules - not fencing ourselves in. Meaning that we need to work, we need to see where our positions are, we need to not wait decades before steps are taken, whilst others rush and close the doors for our businesses.

We need to also ensure access to the raw materials that are critical to helping our economy grow. If Europe does not step-up then it is no surprise if our competitors step-in.

And while trade opens doors, we need to remain vigilant that it does not close them, perhaps unintentionally, for those who sustain our communities. Our farmers and producers’ concerns - rising costs, market pressures and quality standards cannot be ignored. We need to protect the most sensitive sectors while enabling export driven industries to strive. Recent balanced solutions prove that we can do that. I know that we can do it again.

On doing business in Europe: We are proud - and rightly so - of our system of open markets and social safety nets. That is what makes the European way different and it works. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be honest with ourselves as to where improvements – sometimes big ones - are needed.

I want the legacy of this 10th European Parliament Legislature which we’ve just started, to be one of simplification, implementation and realism. Meaning cutting back on red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy that pushes people and jobs away.

Smarter regulation does not mean more regulation. It means creating practical, efficient policies that are easy to implement and deliver real results.

The reality is that we have not yet been able to consolidate our advantageous single market in too many areas. Political differences mean that we are still not where we need to be on telecoms, on banking and capital markets, on so many other areas.

Energy costs are a critical part of the puzzle that we must solve. The retail cost of electricity in the European Union can be up to three times higher than in other regions, which damages competitiveness, lowers margins and drives up production costs. This means less money in European people’s pockets. And if predictions prove true, this winter is envisaged to be a much colder one than in previous years. Which makes this issue much more urgent to tackle.

When we talk about energy, we need to do more than just progress - we need integration. We are very proud of a former Polish President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek who so often called for integration in energy market. Energy is one of the areas with the biggest dividend of common action. We have seen it when it comes to gas storage; we have seen it also with the EU electricity market reform that the European Parliament voted on this year.

But a fully interconnected European energy market would go even further in lowering costs and making energy prices less volatile. It is a system in which we can all benefit. Economically speaking but from a security perspective too. That is what true strategic autonomy looks like.

Dear friends,

We need to prove that Europe is not the ‘lethargic continent in decline’ and ultimately that means finding the political will and courage to take the necessary decisions. We know we have the tools, we know what we have to do - we have had years of experience - we just need to courage to do it.

And of course - it is not only courage. We also need the political reality to do it. That means stable governments in Member States. That is why when we talk about our values, about democracy, freedom and the Rule of Law, we are not talking about some lofty ideas tucked away in some old and dusty bookshelf. We are talking about those values that give a country stability, predictability, that make it a reliable partner on the global stage.

I will say to you what I told Prime Minister Tusk earlier today: everyone can see the impressive changes that Poland has made over the past year. Where some thought there would be small steps, there have been giant leaps. You have unlocked crucial European funds to support Polish businesses and people, you have steered our support towards Ukraine and spearheaded our discussions on security, on defence, on the issues that matter most. And in doing so you have led your country to the very heart of Europe, where Poland belongs.

On the 1st of January, when Poland will take on the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we look at what happens here as a driving force for what will happen in Europe. We look at how crucial Europe is for European leadership. When we talk of ‘A Strong Poland’, it is not just an easy soundbite. A strong Poland means that a strong Europe is real.

Thank you.”

Background

The European Parliament’s Conference of Presidents (President Metsola and political group leaders) travelled to Warsaw on December 5 to meet with representatives of the Polish government and parliament to prepare for Poland’s six-month presidency of the EU Council, which starts on 1 January 2025.

On the same day, President Metsola delivered the keynote speech at a discussion organised by Polish Think Tank Polityka Insight.