Poland's EU affairs minister seeks unlocking of EU funds
Adam Szlapka, the new minister for European Union affairs, has said Poland is actively pursuing the unlocking of billions of euros in European money, emphasising the need for swift action and comprehensive rule of law changes.
Szlapka is the new EU minister in the Donald Tusk government that was sworn-in by President Andrzej Duda on Wednesday. On the same day, he went with Tusk to Brussels to attend an EU summit and try to mend relations with Brussels that have been strained by the former Euro-sceptic Law and Justice government over its justice reforms that the EU says violate rule-of-law principles.
As a result of the dispute, the EU blocked Poland's access to pandemic relief funds the country was due to receive under its National Recovery Plan (KPO)
On Thursday Szlapka met with Vera Jourova, the deputy president of the European Commission responsible for rule-of-law issues, with whom, together with Adam Bodnar, Poland's justice minister, they have been working to fulfil all the conditions necessary for Poland to receive the KPO funds.
"It is no secret that minister Bodnar and I have been working very hard over the past two months to meet all the milestones to the fullest extent possible," Szlapka said on Thursday.
When it comes to filing the first documents, the minister said they will act swiftly. "We will not stall, but this is a matter that Prime Minister Tusk will make the final decisions on."
"There are still some things that need to be done… But we are all very optimistic," he added.
According to him, Bodnar has already prepared a number of solutions, but Szlapka did not provide any details.
"Minister Bodnar will be preparing appropriate legislative solutions that will actually change the system in Poland," he said. "We are talking about the path to the complete (restoration of - PAP) rule of law in Poland and changes in all areas."
Szlapka confirmed the recent statement of Johannes Hahn, the EU Commissioner, that the European Commission may find a way to pay Poland EUR 111 billion in total from the KPO and cohesion policy funds. (PAP)
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