Zaangażowanie Polski w realizację wspólnej polityki bezpieczeństwa i obrony w świetle prezydencji Polski w Radzie UE

After the Lisbon Treaty came in force, Poland was the forth country in turn after Spain, Belgium and Hungary to take over the EU presidency. Polish presidency priorities included the intention to strengthen the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). That surprised some European capitals, as Poland had been earlier perceived as an “Atlantic orthodox” in opposition to projects developing EU defence capabilities. In fact, the Polish government and military authorities had mistrusted of visions and projects concerning European strategic autonomy. Therefore two stages should be distinguished in Poland’s engagement in the EU Common Security and Defence Policy. They embrace five-year periods of 2004 and 2004-2009. The date of 1 May 2004 marks the dividing line when the Republic of Poland became a European Union’ Member State after having signed the accession treaty in Athens a year before. The article features Poland’s attitude to CSDP before the accession, Poland’s contribution to CSDP after the accession, engagement in pursuing European Headline Goal – 2010 and the place of CSDP in the Polish presidency programme.