February 2025 – The European Commission, which is the European Union’s executive body, is a key partner of Efus. Not only because it often co-funds projects designed and led by Efus, or in which it is a partner, but also because it contributes to setting the political framework in which Efus operates.
Indeed, Efus member local and regional authorities are bound by EU legislation and overall policies, but conversely, they advocate with European institutions their specific needs and expectations. One of Efus’ core missions is precisely to voice the concerns of the local level of governance at EU level.
Upholding the previous Commission’s priorities
Officially appointed on 28 November, the current European Commission’s mandate covers the period from 1 December 2024 to 31 October 2029. Presided for a second time by Ursula von der Leyen (Germany), the new Commission is set to pursue the policies initiated in the previous period.
Keeping in touch and informed
Efus has long been in regular contact with cabinet members of Commissioners who work in policy areas that are relevant to Efus, such as Migration and Home Affairs; Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law, and Crisis management. Efus is currently working to set meetings with the newly installed teams over the course of 2025.
Efus also constantly monitors the work of the European Commission in the policy areas that are relevant to its work, keeping abreast of legislative and policy evolution, as well as calls for projects.
“Security, Europe! This is our motto, which reflects the current challenges facing our continent.”
Adam Szłapka, Polish Minister for European Affairs
The Polish presidency of the EU
For the first semester of 2025, the rotating presidency of the EU is held by Poland (in a trio with Denmark and Cyprus). It’s the second time that Poland assumes this role at a time when the worldwide geopolitical context is particularly tense. Poland’s priority is, in the words of its Minister for European Union Affairs, Adam Szłapka, “Security, Europe! This is our motto, which reflects the current challenges facing our continent.” As such, “the Polish Presidency will support activities strengthening European security in all its dimensions: external, internal, information, economic, energy, food, and health.”
The security priorities of the Polish presidency
In its programme, the Polish presidency of the EU says it “will work to enhance EU and member state capacities for civil protection, disaster resilience, rescue and humanitarian assistance. We will address the issues of: combating international organised crime networks, terrorism and radicalisation, including in the context of the internal security threats posed by the Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
In June 2025, Efus will hold its General assembly in Gdańsk, Efus long-standing Polish member of the Executive committee.
