A strong and competitive economy is the foundation for Europe’s security

BusinessEurope’s Council of Presidents convened today in Warsaw, hosted by its Polish member, the Confederation Lewiatan, just one month before the start of the Polish EU Presidency. Meeting with Poland’s Minister of Finance, Andrzej Domański, the delegation outlined the business community’s priorities for the incoming Presidency. The Council also met with President Andrzej Duda and exchanged views with Sauli Niinistö, former Finnish President and Special Adviser to the European Commission President.

– To continue being an anchor of peace, prosperity, and stability, Europe must act decisively to strengthen its economy and close the widening competitiveness gap towards our major competitors. The Polish EU Presidency, beginning alongside the new European Commission’s term, presents a vital opportunity to reboot EU policies and drive investment and growth. Security will be the central theme of the incoming presidency, and today we underline that a strong and competitive economy is the foundation for Europe’s security, said BusinessEurope President Fredrik Persson.

We urge the EU to focus on ten priority actions during the Presidency. These include defining an ambitious Single Market strategy by mid-2025 and proposing a new clean industrial deal that is sufficiently ambitious on reducing regulatory burdens on companies, accelerates permitting procedures, reduces energy costs, and addresses labour and skills shortages. Trade diversification is equally critical in view of the current geopolitical context.”

– We are honoured to welcome to Warsaw the leaders of major business associations from across Europe. Today, we have reaffirmed our support for Ukraine and its people. Since Russia’s invasion, the EU has mobilised nearly €122 billion in financial, humanitarian, and military assistance to Ukraine. The EU’s emergency support to maintain Ukraine’s infrastructure and businesses operational must continue. A resilient EU economy is the foundation to ensure that this support can last for as long as necessary, said Lewiatan President Maciej Witucki.