Tusk stressed that Poland was taking over presidency at the time of crisis, not only financial but also a crisis of confidence, and now it should also be called a systemic and political crisis. He said that “Polish leadership was a leadership of people serious about Europeas a community.”

Listing Poland's successes during Presidency, Donald Tusk mentioned agreement to the so-called “six-pack” measures aimed to increase fiscal discipline among EU member states, progress in the Eastern Partnership and the signing of an accession agreement between the EU and Croatia.

He said that even though he is satisfied with all the achievements of Polish presidency he cannot say that the Europe of late 2011 is more united than it used to be a year or five years ago and added that it is crucial to speak clearly about what is happening in Europe at the moment.

“Today we have to admit, Europe is standing at a crossroads, we have to make a substantial decision, either we go the way of cooperation (…) or we go the way of national egoism, pursuing safety each on one’s own and treating the union as a burden rather than the best possible option for the Europeans,” Tusk stated.

He stressed that Europe needs strong political leadership not only for the time of crisis but for the future as well. Since there are voices about need to review fundaments of the Union it means that “the crisis is in our hearts, not only in our banks.”

He called the European leaders to examine their conscience, think when they started to break the rules of the Maastricht Treaty and take joint responsibility for the future. He also added that it makes no sense to divide Europe for the better and the worse and that the source of the financial and political crisis is not European integration. ‘The last six months have shown that it is exactly the opposite,’ he said.

The  European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, praised Poland for meeting expectations and maintaining the spirit of partnership in the European institutions and EU Member States. He marked that the Polish Presidency has worked with great professionalism and enthusiasm for Europe, democracy and our common values.

The Polish presidency started on July 1, 2011 and will officially end when Denmark takes over the role on January 1, 2012.

During the debate in the Parliament, the Prime Minister wished the Danish presidency success for the future.

BS