The Sejm, the lower house of parliament, has passed a bill containing measures aimed at enhancing security and readiness for Poland's upcoming presidency of the EU Council.
On Friday, Polish MPs approved two amendments proposed by the Civic Coalition (KO), the largest party in the coalition government, while rejecting a minority motion from the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party.
The first approved amendment, presented by KO, grants the presidency free accommodation during its term. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs “can and will ensure” this provision.
The second passed amendment increases the overtime limits for the State Protection Service for 2024 and 2025. During a meeting, Czeslaw Mroczek, deputy head of the interior and administration ministry, said that the current limits might be insufficient.
The first approved amendment, presented by KO, grants the presidency free accommodation during its term. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs “can and will ensure” this provision.
The second passed amendment increases the overtime limits for the State Protection Service for 2024 and 2025. During a meeting, Czeslaw Mroczek, deputy head of the interior and administration ministry, said that the current limits might be insufficient.
Poland first held the presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2011, alongside Denmark and Cyprus. According to the current schedule, Poland will again hold the presidency in the first half of 2025, in a trio with Denmark and Cyprus.
Other regulations approved on Friday focused on security preparations and public policy plans for the presidency.
“This will apply to the most important official meetings under the presidency,” said the Prime Minister's Office. “In order to ensure an adequate level of security, the police will be given the temporary possibility to process information, including personal data, of persons or entities who will participate in events related to the presidency or cooperate in their organization.”
The measures are to enter into force 14 days after publication in the Journal of Laws. The provisions will be temporary and are to remain in force until September 30, 2025.
The bill will now go to the Senate, the upper house of parliament, for review.
The presidency of the Council rotates among the EU member states every six months. During this six-month period, the presidency chairs, which consist of three countries, or trios, meetings at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU's work in the Council.
The trio sets long-term goals and prepares a common agenda determining the topics and major issues that will be addressed by the Council over an 18-month period.
Other regulations approved on Friday focused on security preparations and public policy plans for the presidency.
“This will apply to the most important official meetings under the presidency,” said the Prime Minister's Office. “In order to ensure an adequate level of security, the police will be given the temporary possibility to process information, including personal data, of persons or entities who will participate in events related to the presidency or cooperate in their organization.”
The measures are to enter into force 14 days after publication in the Journal of Laws. The provisions will be temporary and are to remain in force until September 30, 2025.
The bill will now go to the Senate, the upper house of parliament, for review.
The presidency of the Council rotates among the EU member states every six months. During this six-month period, the presidency chairs, which consist of three countries, or trios, meetings at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU's work in the Council.
The trio sets long-term goals and prepares a common agenda determining the topics and major issues that will be addressed by the Council over an 18-month period.
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