The Ministry of the Interior and Administration has established a special team responsible for safety and security at the meetings organized by the Presidency. Government’s Coordinator for the Safety and Security of the EU Presidency is Undersecretary of State Adam Rapacki.

The Coordinator is supported by the Team for Safety and Security of the Polish Preparations and Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The team is an advisory body, which consists of representatives of various ministries. Its work revolves mainly around safety and security of persons and facilities, as well as medical service. The priority is the safety and security of meeting venues and premises in their direct vicinity, as well as transfer routes, without causing any major obstructions to the traffic flow.

Presidency meetings are grouped into four categories based on the rank of the participants. Category 1 comprises meetings of Heads of States and Governments, Category 2 meetings include the Speakers of the Sejm (lower chamber of the Polish Parliament) and Senate, as well as ministers of interior, foreign affairs, national defence, Category 3 meetings including other ministers. Category 4 includes expert meetings.
Last year Polish law enforcement officers paid study visits and attended seminars and trainings organized by foreign services in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. In addition, Polish security services entered into cooperation with the Security Office of the General Secretariat of the Council. Consequently, ten odd Polish security officers will contribute to the security at European Council meeting during Polish Presidency.

Experience of previous Presidencies of the Council of the European Union has also proved helpful. The good practices shared at those meetings will enable the application of existing solutions and effective coordination of actions of all institutions involved in the security of the Presidency.

Organization of such a major event as the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union requires not only intense preparations but also active cooperation of numerous institutions responsible for safety and security of participants and venues. The Police, government Security Office, Border Guard and State Fire Service will closely cooperate in security operations.

Also other services supervised by the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, such as Internal Security Agency, Intelligence Agency, Military Counterintelligence Service, and Military Police, will be involved in those operations.

Police

The most important responsibilities of the Police during the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union include the provision of the security of the participants, facilities, escorting delegations, and safeguarding public order. The police is also responsible for protections against explosives and coordination of terrorist , extremist and criminal threat detection. w

Government Security Office (BOR)

During the Presidency the Government Security Office is in charge of security of persons and facilities within its remit specified by law. The Office detects, analyses and prevents potential threats, as well as coordinates and performs security operations. In addition, during Polish EU Presidency the Office will be responsible for security of specific meetings and persons entitled to BOR protection by law, who participate in the EU Council meetings.

Border Guard

During Polish EU Presidency the Border Guard is responsible for the security at border crossing points, including airports and seaports. It will also cooperate with other services in the provision of security at meetings and transfer routes.

State Fire Service

In like manner, the State Fire Service is responsible for the analysis and alleviating threats resulting from the location of facilities, where Polish Presidency meetings are taking place.