Poland has a unique ability to help ease transatlantic tensions, according to Piotr Serafin, the EU budget commissioner, during his first public speech after taking office on Wednesday. The Commissioner said he believes the European Union is fortunate to have Poland in the presidency during these tense times. Serafin spoke at a conference organised by Polityka Insight and the Representation of the Republic of Poland to the EU.
“We know well, from following Prime Minister Donald Tusk, that the main goal of the Polish presidency will be to strengthen security in all possible dimensions, ranging from economic security to defence,” Commissioner Serafin said.
He emphasised that Poland and the European Union will collaborate to enhance their defence capabilities.
Serafin asserted that Poland is particularly credible in promoting a programme to ease transatlantic tensions and build support for such initiatives within Europe. He pointed out that Poland’s commitment to security is evident in its decision to allocate 4.7% of its GDP to defence.
He noted that the EU’s shared objective should be to deepen transatlantic security cooperation rather than engage in a trade war with the United States, as such actions would weaken the West instead of strengthening it.
“We need to avoid a trade war between the European Union and the United States because that won’t do anyone any good and won’t make us ‘great again’,” Serafin said.
The Commissioner emphasised that improving European competitiveness is a top priority for the European Commission. This includes developing a strategy for clean industry, which the Commission plans to present within the first 100 days of its term.
“We need industry in Europe; we must increase investment and lower energy prices,” Serafin highlighted. He added that the EU needs to catch up in terms of innovation and should invest in new technologies, including artificial intelligence, which will be crucial for security and enhancing the Union’s defence capabilities.
On January 1, Poland will assume the six-month presidency of the EU Council. Piotr Serafin, Poland’s permanent representative to the EU until the end of November, has been the EU Commissioner for Budget since December 1.
