Leader of Poland, which holds the EU presidency, tells parliament that conflict and uncontrolled technological progress is creating challenges for bloc

Polish prime minister Donald Tusk has been speaking in the European Parliament, delivering a wide-ranging speech on the future of the EU, with some strong quotes about what he sees as both opportunites and challenges for the bloc.

Poland has taken over the EU’s rotating presidency on 1 January, and Tusk, former president of the European Council, wants to use his experience to help the bloc in these uncertain times.

We are dealing with an active conflict on our borders. We have to deal with technological progress, which is sometimes uncontrolled. All of this leads to this feeling of loss of certainty on the part of a large number of our citizens.

But objectively speaking, Europe should not be fearful about its future. ... The most important words here today should be addressed directly to Europeans: keep your heads high.

Now the party is over. The time of comfort is over.