The Structural Funds should reach Poland in May this year. – Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, told PAP. She emphasized that the release of funds for cohesion policy by the EC means that it will be possible to refinance projects already implemented. It is worth recalling that during the election campaign, Donald Tusk promised to unblock the KPO funds “the day after the elections”.
At the end of last week, the head of the Ministry of FiPR announced that Poland had met the last three conditions necessary for the full mobilization of structural funds, namely 76 billion euros allocated to our country from the EU budget for 2021-2027 . She explained that it is mainly about the rule of law, that is, citizens must have access to independent courts. The remaining two conditions relate to the transport system and the healthcare system and, as she noted, are of a technical nature.
The unblocking process was started by submitting the so-called self-assessment, i.e. a document containing, among other things: a description of how and with the help of which procedures we will ensure compliance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights at all stages of program implementation
– she said. She added that the self-assessment was submitted to the Commission on January 17 this year.
If a self-assessment were not to take place, the European Commission would not understand that Poland has in principle met or will soon meet all the conditions.
– Pełczyńska-Nałęcz explained.
The minister pointed out that “this process has its technocratic pace, but it is known that when the green light comes, there is almost certainty of a positive decision (EC – PAP) at the end.” When asked about the competitions announced last year to be financed from the Structural Funds, she said that Poland currently has an advance of 3-4%, i.e. about PLN 8.4 billion, which was transferred to Poland last year.
However, this is very little
– she noted.
When asked when the money from the funds (apart from the advance) would reach Poland, the minister said that this should be in May.
The self-assessment procedure takes two to three months, after which there is acceptance and you can submit applications for refinancing and process these applications. Usually this is two months
– she explained. She indicated that the value of the so-called The certified (completed) funds amounts to approximately € 1 billion and this money is awaiting settlement.
The head of the Ministry of FiPR admitted that the delay in the implementation of the Structural Funds is great, but – as she noted – the cogs of the machine that we have been testing for some twenty years ‘work regardless of unrest and blockages in the political parties’. level.” She added that there is indeed a slowdown compared to the previous financial perspective, but it is not yet a disaster.
Structural funds are funds for the implementation of the EU’s cohesion policy. In the financial perspectives 2021-2027 these are: European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund+, Cohesion Fund, European Maritime Fund, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Just Transition Fund. Poland has more than 76 billion euros.
Pełczyńska-Nałęcz: In February we will present the revision of the KPO to the Prime Minister
In February we will present a revision of the National Reconstruction Plan to Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, told PAP. She indicated that it would be better to stop projects that would not bring any benefits to Poland.
When asked at what stage the implementation of the National Reconstruction Plan is, the head of the Ministry of FiPR recalled that on December 15, the first application for financing of the KPO in the amount of 6.9 billion euros was submitted. Previously – as she said – there were no funds for the implementation of the KPO, while the previous government tried to implement several projects by ordering pre-financing from the Polish Development Fund.
This happened with better or worse results, because projects have been carried out that raise serious concerns and it is not known whether it will be possible to receive compensation for these projects from the KPO.
– she said.
Pełczyńska-Nałęcz recalled that in December last year, Poland received an advance of EUR 5 billion under RePowerEU, which is part of the KPO, part of which was transferred to the PFR account.
This gives us, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, the means to guarantee liquidity for activities that are already being carried out
– she noted.
The head of the ministry admitted that when it comes to delays in the implementation of the FPA, the problem is greater than in the case of the structural funds.
First, the implementation period of KPO is shorter, which means that most investments must be completed or at least contracted by 2026, which is very difficult.
– she said. She added that there are also huge delays in the reforms that Poland should implement under the program, which – as she recalled – aimed at rebuilding European economies after Covid and strengthening their resilience against other crises, including the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. .
These reforms should have started immediately, two years ago
– she noted.
When asked in which areas the lack of these reforms is visible, the PAP interlocutor mentioned, among other things: the process of drawing up spatial development plans, e-health or co-financing of hospitals. She said ministries are only now beginning the difficult reform work of investing these funds wisely.
The minister was also asked whether there is a scenario in which not all the money from the KPO is used. She emphasized that the goal of MFiPR is not to spend every last zloty.
This is a loan. Certainly, neither Poland nor any other country could obtain this money on more favorable terms, but the implemented projects must be optimized and related to reforms that will accelerate the country’s development.
– she noted.
Currently, she said, a review of the reforms and investments to be implemented under the FPA is underway.
If we identify those that make no sense or cannot be performed qualitatively within the time specified in the program, it is better to abandon them.
– she said.
Pełczyńska-Nałęcz pointed out that a KPO revision package is currently being prepared for discussions with the European Commission. She announced she would present the review to Prime Minister Donald Tusk in February. She added that during talks with the EC, Poland would like to point out, among other things: reforms that are worth changing, or that may propose the relocation of certain funds.
And if the loan funds are intended for things that are unnecessary and there are no benefits for the Polish state from spending them, then they will have to be abandoned.
– she said. She stressed that at this stage “it is better for Poland not to incur debt for this part of the funds.”
A project that, according to the minister, requires “intense reflection” in the context of the KPO revision is the project to build the Polish electric car Jizera.
It was a project recognized as a flagship project and co-financed (by the state – PAP). And now the serious question arises whether it is profitable, feasible and in line with Poland’s development strategy
– said the minister.
She also noted that support for the Clean Air Program is financed from the KPO and structural funds.
We have already donated PLN 200 million from the advance to the Clean Air program. This is a priority
– she pointed.
Other major investments planned under KPO that make perfect sense are investments in infrastructure: investments in wind farms, solar energy and transmission networks. This is a super important thing, very necessary to implement the distributed energy program
– she said.
The National Reconstruction Plan (KPO) is a program from which Poland will receive EUR 59.82 billion (PLN 261.4 billion), of which EUR 25.3 billion (PLN 110.4 billion) in the form of grants and EUR 34.5 billion (PLN 151 billion) in the form of subsidies. form of preferential loans.
Donald Tusk and Minister Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz have already made several statements on the issue of KPO, they also boasted about their alleged successes, most recently regarding the upcoming release of 76 billion euros from the Structural Funds. Meanwhile, according to the minister, this money will only reach Poland in May. It is worth waiting for the EC’s position on this, because experience shows that this may differ from what the minister has announced.
tkwl/PAP
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Source: wPolityce