Poland can expect flexibility on EU funds says Tusk
Poland can count on a far-reaching flexibility on the part of the European institutions, said Donald Tusk, leader of Poland's main opposition party, the Civic Platform (PO), after a meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission (EC).
Tusk, a likely candidate for the new prime minister met with the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola in Brussels on Wednesday.
"Europe is hungry for a serious conversation and an honest relationship with Poland, hence this unusual meeting. I am an informal guest here and it is clear that we have to wait for the transfer of power to be completed," Tusk said after the meeting.
He said that after Tuesday's meeting with President Andrzej Duda he had reason for "moderate optimism" that the president would not prolong the process.
Poland has been in a longtime rule-of-law dispute with the European Commission due to the incumbent Law and Justice (PiS) government's opposition to roll back its judicial reforms which resulted in freezing EUR 35.4 billion recovery plan (KPO) funds.
"We can certainly count (...) on very far-reaching flexibility from the European institutions". Tusk said.
Tusk added that there were still milestones, or conditions set by the EU, to be met and the new government would have to demonstrate its ability to restore the rule of law in Poland.
"Mrs von der Leyen knows well how fast time flies, so the EC will take into account the fastest possible executive decisions so that Poland does not lose a single euro," he said.
The PO leader said that the mechanism for disbursing money from the KPO is a flexible one, meaning that it is possible to begin distributing funds when the changes in the law start, and stop if this process does not continue.
Tusk also commented on what he heard from von der Leyen about the war in Ukraine and the 1.5 million Ukrainian refugees living in Poland.
According to Tusk, the EC is willing to cooperate with Poland on Ukrainian issues. "The EC is aware of the burdens and efforts that Poland and the Poles are bearing with regard to the war and the refugees, not only from Ukraine," he said.
"We will be able to count on significant assistance in strengthening the protection of our eastern border, primarily with Belarus," he added.
Tusk reported that Europe wants its borders to be tight and effectively controlled while restoring humanitarian principles of operation.
Critics of the outgoing Law and Justice governments said Poland had numerously breached human rights in treating migrants trying to cross into Poland from Belarus, a claim the government denies.
The talks also addressed the need for a solution to the grain dispute between Poland and Ukraine, one "not upsetting Ukraine, because we want to help Ukraine, but under no circumstances can the interests of Polish farmers be jeopardised" said Tusk. (PAP)
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