The president argued that EU institutions such as the Council of Europe and the EP, composed of democratically elected representations, should have the greatest powers, as is the case with national parliaments, because voters want to know that their problems are being solved by people for whom they voted. "This is one of the most important, basic issues," stressed the president.

Duda went on to say that the EU must reform itself to become more efficient and more friendly to Europeans, it must be more democratic. "This is what should be expected from European institutions and politicians. I am convinced that such a stance will be presented by MEPs in the European Parliament," said President Duda.

Referring to domestic affairs, Duda said that all of the country's political institutions should act in favour of Polish citizens and focus on improving their overall standards of living. The president also observed that in order to have a strong position in European politics and on the European and global markets, "Poland must continue to grow in strength."

He also stressed that in order to dynamically develop, Poland must be well protected, in the military sense, and have secured access to basic energy resources and pointed to Poland's various moves aimed at the diversification of its gas supply sources. Speaking of gas supplies, the president noted that thanks to the Swinoujscie gas terminal, Poland can import gas from the United States and other countries.
       
President Duda, the supreme commander of the Polish Armed Forces, stressed that Poland is changing, reforming and modernising its armed forces, although it will take years to implement all the related tasks, in view of their costs. "It is very expensive, but we want the Polish Armed Forces to be, above all, the most efficient and most modern army."

aa/jch/