Polish minister Mikołaj Dowgielewicz admits Poland has taken over at a tough time: crises, Greek debt and Euro-scepticism - but believes it can make a difference.

Interview: Poland will have an impact

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/15674399/N003-0127-EN.srt

Mikołaj Dowgielewicz,  European Affairs Minister for Poland,

your country is taking over the Presidency  at a very difficult time, isn't it?

Indeed, it's a very difficult time  for the European Union

and we now need leadership  from all the institutions

to be able to provide robust responses  to what is happening around us:

the crisis in the eurozone, the need  for better economic coordination,

but also many challenges in the economy  that we still have to tackle.

How hopeful are you  about the future of the euro?

Greece has been downgraded  by the ratings agencies to CCC

How do you think this will be resolved  without damaging the euro itself?

Well, it's a bit delicate for the Presidency  from outside the eurozone

to speak about the discussions on  the Greek rescue plan, if I may call it that.

But I think it's essential that we are able  to prove that there is a long-term plan

I believe it's not just about  the rescue packages,

including the one that was approved  just a few days ago.

But we also need to have  a plan for growth

and how to strengthen opportunities  for economic growth in those countries

and indeed in the whole  of the European Union.

Your Prime Minister mentioned  this new kind of Euroscepticism.

The sort of Euroscepticism  in the UK is fine,

because it's declared  and you agree with it or not.

But it's the new, more subtle form that  perhaps springs from populist politicians.

I think it's essential, and this is very much  our objective during the Polish Presidency,

so that people can see in a credible way  how Europe works

and how we can deliver on growth  and economic opportunities for everyone.

We need to remind people  that openness towards neighbours,

towards candidate countries,  is something positive, a win-win situation.

Labour migration inside the EU  isn't a threat,

which is also necessary to boost growth  in ageing societies.

On energy policy,  your country vetoed plans

to reduce the EU's  carbon emission targets for 2020.

You're very keen to develop  external energy policies

I wouldn't say it's concerns about Russia.  Poland has its own gas resources

I think it's essential to recognise  that energy policy must become

of the European construction  in the coming years.

We must have  a functioning energy market in place

because that will guarantee  energy security.

We need energy links  between Member States,

especially on the North-South axis,  since that's missing.

On climate, I think it's essential that  we recognise that the world has changed.

The largest European economy just  decided to get rid of nuclear energy,

How do you respond to that  in the real world?

It's an interesting question, but you  certainly can't raise your ambitions

if all the outside powers and the emerging  economies aren't doing the same.

and I'm sure the Polish Presidency  will work towards a good compromise

with regard to the green objectives,  but also European competitiveness.

We'll do that  at the October European Council.

and see how Europe can best serve the  interests of a good compromise in Durban.

I know the Polish Presidency has a list  of good presidencies and poor ones

and is looking at  which it would like to emulate.

What would you like to be remembered for?

What would you like to be marked down  as a major achievement for Poland?

There are a number of deliverables  we'd like to see:

association agreement with Ukraine,  signature of the Croatian accession treaty.

There are also deliverables  on the internal market,

with the Single Market Act legislation  swiftly going through the Council.

But I think that  at the end of the Polish Presidency

we'd like to see Europe more optimistic  about its own future and its economy.

Maybe it's not very tangible  and measurable,

but it would be  an important achievement.

Mikołaj Dowgielewicz,  thank you very much.