EN
In 2007 German presidency set out the principles and goals of the EU's Eastern Policy. On the one hand they were compatible with one of Germany's major interests, that is developing the best possible political and economic relations with Russia and other post-soviet countries; on the other hand they created the opportunity for the EU to give these relations an adequately high status. In the course of the German presidency realization of the 'European Eastern Policy' revealed the limits imposed on the countries holding presidency of the EU in their pursuit of their particular political conceptions. The German experience enables us to draw relevant conclusions for Poland. Presidency of the EU is above all characterized by the need of continual adjustment of particular priorities to the demands of the current international reality and to the president country's changing expectations. This requires the president country to hold steady consultations and discussions with the European Commission and individual member states; the president country should also be guided by political restraint in defining the tasks of its presidency.