Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Elisa Spiropali, sees Poland’s EU Council Presidency as a significant opportunity for advancing the integration of Western Balkans countries into the European Union.
In a Facebook post, Spiropali welcomed Poland’s assumption of the EU Council Presidency, emphasizing that its focus on rapid and high-quality EU enlargement aligns with Albania’s ongoing reforms. She affirmed Albania’s commitment to collaborating with Poland, particularly with the Polish Parliament and its Speaker, Szymon Hołownia, to share best practices and accelerate the full EU membership process.
Poland’s Presidency Priorities
Poland began its six-month EU Council Presidency on January 1, 2025, under the motto “Security, Europe!” This term follows Belgium and Hungary’s leadership in 2024, with Denmark set to take over in the latter half of 2025.
Key priorities for Poland’s term revolve around various aspects of security, including:
- External and internal security: Addressing geopolitical tensions in Ukraine, Georgia, and the Middle East.
- Economic and energy stability: Enhancing European companies’ competitiveness, reducing energy costs, and cutting bureaucratic red tape.
- EU Enlargement: Promoting the inclusion of new members, particularly from the Western Balkans, into the EU bloc.
Spiropali’s Vision for Albania
Spiropali highlighted that Poland’s Presidency offers a favorable momentum for Albania and other Western Balkan countries to advance their EU accession processes. She stated, “The Polish Presidency guarantees speed and quality in EU enlargement as a priority, resonating with our ongoing reforms.”
Albania plans to leverage this opportunity by deepening cooperation with Poland to align its integration efforts with EU expectations.
Poland’s Symbolic Commitment
Poland’s EU Presidency logo—a blend of the Polish flag and the letters “EU”—symbolizes the country’s dedication to the European bloc, celebrating 20 years of EU membership and aiming to shape the future of the union.
Designed by renowned Polish artist Jerzy Janiszewski, who also created the iconic Solidarność (Solidarity) logo in 1980, the logo reflects Poland’s ambition to steer the EU towards greater unity and resilience.
