The revision of the National Reconstruction Plan is necessary, but should not be too great – the Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, said on RMF FM radio on Monday. She emphasized that Poland will have to negotiate a comprehensive reform of the KPO for a long time.
In an interview for RMF, the head of the Ministry of FiPR confirmed that Poland has a two-year delay in implementing the investments and reforms specified in the KPO. She also admitted that Member States – in accordance with European Commission guidelines – have until August 31, 2026 to implement the projects, which may be difficult to achieve.
Therefore, as the minister said, the ministry she led conducted a thorough audit of all ministries responsible for implementing the reconstruction plan and made changes.
The package is ready for the Prime Minister’s decision and negotiations with the European Commission
– she said.
When asked about the scope of the changes to the KPO, she indicated that “the revision cannot be too large”.
It’s not like we can arrange this money the way we want
– she said. She explained that if Poland wanted to put a comprehensive KPO reform on the table, the country would have to negotiate it for so long that there would not be time to implement it.
The strategy is this: revision is necessary, but minimal – a revision that can be done within a few months
– she explained.
Communication from the EC
On Friday February 23 this year. The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced during a joint conference with Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw that two decisions on European funds for Poland will be taken next week. They will release resources for Poland from the National Reconstruction Plan and for the implementation of cohesion policy.
The National Reconstruction Plan for Poland provides for 55 investments and 55 reforms aimed at strengthening the Polish economy after the Covid-19 pandemic. Within this pool, Poland will receive EUR 59.8 billion (PLN 268 billion), of which EUR 25.27 billion (PLN 113.28 billion) in the form of grants and EUR 34.54 billion (PLN 154.81 billion) in the form of form of preferential loans. In line with EU objectives, a significant part of the KPO budget should be allocated to: climate objectives (46.6%), digital transformation (21.3%) and social reforms (22.3%).
Under the cohesion policy for the period 2021-2027, Poland will receive more than PLN 340 billion (EUR 76 billion). Mid-January this year. Poland has submitted an application to the European Commission regarding the fulfillment of the condition regarding the application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the fulfillment of which allows reimbursement of costs under all objectives and programs covered by the Partnership Agreement makes.
In light of sensitive issues such as state finances, the message from the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy should be much clearer. However, it turns out that the KPO issue still remains a mystery, and the answer to this is political will and not clear procedures.
gah/PAP
Source: wPolityce