The Council of the EU is where national ministers from the 27 EU Member States adopt laws and coordinate future EU policies. Every six months, its Presidency rotates to a different Member State, which sets priorities and chairs meetings to drive the Council’s work.
In 2025, our liberal Ministers of European Affairs in Poland and Denmark have been instrumental in overseeing the creation of the Presidency programme, aligning national priorities with the EU’s ongoing agenda.
This feature was originally published in ALDE Party's Liberal Bulletin in June 2025. Click here to read the full publication.
Adam Szłapka 
Minister of European Affairs – Poland
Poland’s EU Presidency put security at the heart of its agenda, broadening the definition to include seven critical dimensions: external, internal, informational, economic, energy, food, and health security.
Under Szłapka’s leadership, the Presidency steered key debates on strengthening EU border management, addressing migration, boosting civil protection, and accelerating the enlargement process.
In a landmark move, Poland also commissioned a proposal for a European Defence Mechanism, a joint intergovernmental fund aimed at enhancing defence cooperation and extending partnerships beyond the EU, including with the UK, Norway, and Switzerland.
“Security is something that we need to think about every day. It’s not only about strengthening our defence industry capabilities. It’s also about internal security, about energy security and economic security," said Szłapka.
Marie Bjerre 
Minister of European Affairs – Denmark
With Denmark assuming the Presidency on 1 July, Minister Bjerre has been laying the groundwork – engaging European counterparts and Danish citizens alike in conversations centred on regional security and steadfast support for Ukraine.
Her agenda builds on Denmark’s shift toward deeper EU integration, marked by the historic 2022 referendum in which voters scrapped the country’s decades-old defence opt-out, signalling a clear mandate for stronger European cooperation.
Under Bjerre’s leadership, the Danish Presidency is set to focus on crafting EU legislation that reinforces regional and global stability, strengthens NATO ties, backs Ukraine, and sharpens the EU’s strategic posture in the Arctic and North Atlantic.
“As we take on the EU Council Presidency, our ambition is clear: Europe must be safe and competitive, stronger and united. Action cannot wait. Denmark is ready to lead the way to grow our economy, strengthen our security and protect the values we all share," said Bjerre.