New Polish president Duda outlines priorities

Andrzej Duda was sworn in and formally took over as the new president of the Republic of Poland on Thursday.

"I am standing here today as the president of the Republic of Poland," Duda said. "A lot is possible if only we act together and accordingly, a lot is possible if we demonstrate understanding and we are kind towards each other."

In his speech to the nation, Duda said he would focus on crucial things such as raising the tax free allowance and lowering retirement age.

According to Duda, Poland needed to address its healthcare issue and raise living standards.

He also announced the creation of an office responsible for the Polish citizens abroad within his chancellery. Duda said as more Polish youth emigrated, Polish diplomacy and education units abroad should be strengthened to meet their needs.

Duda underlined the need to strengthen Poland's economy by providing help for entrepreneurs "so that they have more freedom of action, space and assistance from the country."

He said he believed in good cooperation between the Polish and European Parliament. From his point of view, Poland's biggest success during the last 26 years was participation in NATO and the European Union.

Poland's foreign policy "should not go through revolution but needs to be corrected," Duda said, underlining this correction should be Poland's increased activity in building European unity.

He announced his readiness to cooperate with the Ministry of National Defense and pointed out he plans to discuss at the the 2016 NATO summit in Warsaw the issue of strengthening the alliance within the NATO and Middle Eastern Europe.