“Over the next two years decisions will be made on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), deeper economic integration and the long-term goals of EU foreign policy. We will need to analyse and modernise the most important EU policies: the Cohesion Policy, the Common Agricultural Policy, the programme for financing research and innovation, funds for culture, the media, the construction of trans-European networks and many other instruments. The Polish Presidency will aim to put the European Union on the path to faster development and will focus on three priorities: European Integration as a Source of Growt,  Secure Europe and Europe Benefiting from Openness." (p.5)

Poland aims also to focus the July discussions on making the framework programme more accessible to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), small research teams and those member states or regions where participation is currently low: "Small and medium-sized enterprises are key to Europe’s economic growth, generating 60% of GDP and almost 70% of jobs. The Polish Presidency will therefore support the initiatives of the European Commission that facilitate access to capital markets and venture funds and assist SMEs in third country markets."

Regarding the research and innovation policy and the importance of the education in general it is further stated in the programme: 

"The Presidency intends to contribute to the building of a sustainable and integrated European  Research Area (ERA), which should be regarded as a European community actively responding to global challenges and fully using the intellectual capital of all the states and regions of Europe. The Presidency plans to organise a ministerial conference on the functioning of the ERA and its governance in the context of the aim of making full use of Europe’s intellectual capital, as well as a conference on national/regional specialisation and the effects of the Cohesion Policy on science and innovation.
The Presidency intends to continue discussions about a Common Strategic Framework for EU Research and Innovation, including the next Framework Programme in this area. Work on the document will proceed in the context of the Europe 2020 strategy priorities and the “Innovation Union” flagship initiative. The Presidency’s aim will be to create an effective and coherent system of supporting research and development at the EU, national and regional levels. The Presidency will aim to support activities that lead to the creation of a simpler and more harmonised Framework Programme, which will be consistent with other support instruments, especially instruments applied under the Cohesion Policy. Special attention will be paid to streamlining administrative and financial rules governing participation in the Framework Programme and its accessibility for small research teams and SMEs. […] In addition, the Presidency intends to continue the work of implementing the Europe 2020 strategy, especially “Innovation Union”– its flagship initiative. In this context, the Presidency will engage in activities connected with partnerships in research and innovation." (p. 19)

 "The full use of Europe’s intellectual capital for the purpose of building Europe’s competitive advantage requires, among other things, initiatives to modernise universities. The Presidency will put an emphasis on supporting quality in the context of popularisation of higher education, primarily perfection in teaching and scientific research, as well as differentiation and transparency of higher education institutions, employability of graduates, partnership with the business community, and the social dimension of higher education." (p.32)

As part of its Presidency, Poland wants to achieve a major step forward in the concept of enlargement and will therefore also support the European aspirations of the Western Balkans.

The full programme of the Polish Presidency can be downloaded below. More information is available at: http://pl2011.eu/en