Polish Prime Minister highlights importance of European leadership

Poland takes over the European Union's rotating presidency from Hungary on January 1, a change at the helm likely to be met with a sigh of relief in many EU quarters. Warsaw is expected to bring a more conciliatory approach than its predecessor to a role that is seen as a key driver of the bloc's action.

Since it joined the EU in 2004, Poland's economy has almost tripled in size, according to the Danish Institute for International Studies. It currently accounts for more than four percent of the EU's total output.

Only Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands contribute more. Poland currently tops NATO's spending ranking relative to the size of its economy, with more than four percent of its GDP devoted to defence.