The one-day meeting on Monday, Feb 3, is organized in close cooperation with European Council President Antonio Costa. Initially planned to take place near Liège, it was moved to Palais d’Egmont in Brussels, with a press conference scheduled for late evening.
The summit will include NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, reflecting a broader focus on EU-NATO and EU-UK cooperation in defense matters, according to Poland’s Deputy Minister Ignacy Niemczycki.
While Poland currently holds the EU Council presidency, the decision to host the summit in Brussels rather than Warsaw drew criticism from the opposition, who accused the government of relinquishing its influence. Polish officials, however, emphasized that the content of discussions, not the location, is paramount.
The leaders will hold a strategic discussion on Europe’s responsibility for its security, focusing on three areas: military cooperation, defense spending commitments, and deepening partnerships. Poland will advocate for a 3% GDP defense spending target, arguing that current increases remain insufficient given security threats.
Warsaw is also seeking EU co-financing for its Eastern Shield defense project, a system of fortifications along its eastern border. While no decision is expected at this summit, Poland insists that since the project strengthens the EU’s external border, it should not bear the cost alone.
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Source: PAP