Speaking in Brussels late on Thursday, she cited the completion of work on 37 legislative acts and the record-speed finalisation of the SAFE defence loan programme in just 71 days, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
'Your presidency was tough, but you delivered'
The European Commission chief praised Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a joint press conference that also featured European Council President António Costa, following a summit of EU leaders.
“Your presidency was tough, but you delivered,” von der Leyen said to Tusk, adding that the legislative achievements were “impressive numbers.”
Tusk, in turn, linked the end of Poland’s six-month EU presidency to the outcome of the NATO summit that wrapped up the previous day.
There, NATO members agreed to increase defence spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product.
“Despite great difficulties and doubts, we managed to reach unanimous agreement within NATO on defence spending levels,” Tusk said. “It was agreed that this level would be ‘Polish’ – that is, 5 percent.”
Tusk also welcomed the EU’s decision on Thursday to extend all existing economic sanctions on Russia for another six months, in response to its ongoing war in Ukraine.
He noted that discussions were continuing on a new 18th sanctions package, which includes measures targeting the so-called “shadow fleet” of Russian oil tankers – hundreds of ageing, uninsured and likely technically unsound vessels used to evade sanctions.
“This is not just a threat to our infrastructure in the Baltic, it is already a massive environmental risk,” he warned.
'Ukraine has delivered, now we must too'
Both Costa and von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s support for Ukraine’s path toward membership.
“Despite extremely difficult circumstances, Ukraine’s government is carrying out reforms at an impressive pace,” said Costa.
Von der Leyen echoed his remarks, saying: “Ukraine has delivered. Now now we must too.”
Reflecting on the broader policy shifts during Poland’s presidency, Tusk said that Europe’s approach to migration had changed significantly, with increasing emphasis on securing the EU’s external borders.
“We will argue hard to make it clear that the only way to reduce illegal migration is through effective border protection,” he declared.
'Europe’s defence holiday is over'
Tusk also recounted Wednesday’s meeting of the “Friends of Ukraine” group, which includes France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and Poland.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was present at the meeting, following his talks with US President Donald Trump at the NATO summit in The Hague.
Tusk said the discussions gave European leaders a sense that “solidarity between Europe and the United States on sanctions and support for Ukraine seems more realistic again.”
He acknowledged that average defence spending across Europe still falls short of expectations, but said he was not frustrated by the cautious response from some countries.
“We’ll keep each other accountable,” he said, noting that the message from Trump and the US administration had been “clear – Europe’s defence holiday is over.”
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP