We must maintain the course we are on, said the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, when asked how she envisions the future of the Green Deal if she is elected for a second term. However, she stressed that the Commission listens to the “legitimate concerns of Polish farmers”.
The green transformation was one of the priorities of the current European Commission, but some decisions leading to the achievement of the EU’s environmental goals were met with dissatisfaction by farmers in many European countries, including Poland.
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Review of the Green Deal?
Prime Minister Donald Tusk has spoken several times about the need to revise the Green Deal. During his visit to Lithuania in March, the head of the Polish government emphasized that Europe need not be doomed to a civil war between ecology and agriculture.
We will find a way to ensure that the provisions of the Green Deal do not harm the interests of large groups of people, not just farmers
– he announced.
When PAP asked about this issue, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who is running for a second term, emphasized that the European Green Deal is a growth strategy that allows the EU to create good jobs for Europeans in a world of “fierce competition in clean technologies.”
So we have to stay the course and on this point I completely agree with my friend Donald Tusk
– she pointed.
At the same time, we are listening to the legitimate concerns of Polish farmers and taking appropriate action
– she added.
The head of the European Commission stressed that Europe is already supporting Polish farmers with 22 billion euros under the Common Agricultural Policy, and that “more will come”.
Among the decisions that were favorable to farmers, Von der Leyen mentioned: EU regulations abolishing the 4% set aside obligation. arable land, reduced bureaucracy and greater flexibility in meeting environmental requirements.
Let’s take small farms with an area of less than 10 hectares. That’s 65 percent. all farmers in the EU. I decided to exempt them from environmental inspections and fines. This will make a huge difference
– emphasized Von der Leyen.
The head of the European Commission also said that the EU is conducting a dialogue with farmers and all participants in the agri-food chain, and that the effects of these conversations will have a direct impact on the work in the next legislature.
However, this does not mean that climate ambitions should be abandoned.
I work and continue to work with farmers and for farmers, so that we achieve our climate goals together. Young people would never forgive us if we did not do everything in our power to achieve this goal
– said the head of the European Commission.
The European Green Deal is the EU strategy responding to problems caused by climate change and environmental degradation. One of the assumptions is that the EU will achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
Collaboration with Tusk
I want to build a coalition with Donald Tusk for a strong Europe – told PAP the head of the EC, Ursula von der Leyen, who will be a guest at the European Economic Congress on Tuesday. In an interview with PAP, the politician noted, among other things: to complete the procedure under art. 7 TEU and disbursement of the first EU funds to Poland.
The 16th European Economic Congress starts on Tuesday in Katowice, the inauguration of which will be attended by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who is also the candidate of the European People’s Party to take up this initiative. position again in the next period. During the event, both politicians will present their plan for Europe.
I came to Poland to announce that I want to build a coalition for a strong Europe with Donald Tusk and the Civic Platform. A coalition that ensures that the center counters the extremes and makes Europe stronger, more prosperous and safer
– Von der Leyen told PAP.
As she emphasized, the discussions taking place at the ECE on issues such as security and defense are among the main priorities of her possible second term.
We need a Europe that can defend itself
– she stressed, adding that she is counting on Poland’s experience and initiative in the efforts to build a “European Defense Union”.
The head of the European Commission noted that she was pleased to once again count on Poland as a partner that shares similar values and supports “openness, democracy and respect for the rule of law.”
These values are at great risk in the coming elections. Our European way of life is not only under attack from without, but also from within by populists and demagogues
– she assessed.
The day before Von der Leyen’s speech at the ECE, the European Commission announced that it would end the procedure initiated against Poland since 2017 under Art. 7 of the Treaty on European Union due to the identified threat to the rule of law. According to PAP information, the European Commission Vice President responsible for the rule of law, Viera Jourova, will inform EU ministers on May 21 of the intention to withdraw the application.
The Commission yesterday sent a letter to the Council to inform and consult Member States about this intention. I am confident that this chapter will soon be closed so that we can all open a new chapter
– Von der Leyen told PAP, emphasizing that the package of changes to the judiciary presented in February by the head of the Ministry of Justice, Adam Bodnar, was a “strong signal” and a “clear plan for the future” .
PAP also asked the head of the European Commission about the disbursement of the first funds from the Reconstruction and Resilience Fund, which – according to PiS – came to our country more for political reasons than because of actual progress in the field of the rule of law. .
However, Von der Leyen argued that the decision in this case was “entirely based on substantive considerations.”
It built on the reforms that had been initiated, but also on some immediate steps taken in the areas of judicial independence and audit and control. This allowed us to initiate the first payment procedure and pave the way for subsequent payments
– said the head of the European Commission.
When asked about issues with a possible presidential veto, which could block some reforms and thus hinder access to further funds, von der Leyen only said that any payment request will only be positively assessed after all milestones have been achieved. She added that the European Commission is ready to support Poland in the implementation of its FPA.
In mid-April, our country received PLN 27 billion from the first payment application of the National Reconstruction Plan (KPO). The EC justified this decision by satisfactorily meeting two so-called super milestones – the idea was to strengthen the independence of the Polish judiciary by reforming the system of disciplinary procedures against judges and introducing the Arachne system to combat financial fraud to combat.
The words of the head of the European Commission clearly indicate the role Donald Tusk and the Civic Platform should play in Polish politics.
gah/PAP
Source: wPolityce
Emma Matthew is a political analyst for “Social Bites”. With a keen understanding of the inner workings of government and a passion for politics, she provides insightful and informative coverage of the latest political developments.