Poland wants to use 6 billion euros of EU “Covid fund” for defense

The Polish government is negotiating with the European Commission to use 23 billion zlotys (6.1 billion euros) of money from the so-called “Covid fund” for defense purposes.

This was stated by the Minister of Funds and Regional Policy of Poland, Katarzyna Pelczynska-Nalecz, wnp.pl reports.

According to Pelczynska-Nalecz, the Polish Security and Defense Fund will be able to finance investments in several areas: civil protection, industrial modernization, and protection of critical infrastructure.

The Fund was created as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan of Poland. Initially, the Polish government declared that it would receive 30 billion zlotys, but in the end, it turned out to be 4 billion zlotys less.

“We have already collected initial applications from various ministries, which were initially estimated at about 90 billion zlotys, while the fund is 26 billion zlotys,” Pelczynska-Nalecz said.

The source of funding for the fund is to be allocated from the European Union’s funds for the recovery of member states after COVID-19.

Pelczynska-Nalecz said that negotiations with the EU on filling the fund “have already begun” and are being conducted by the Ministries of Finance and National Defense.

“We already have a preliminary decision that investments can be made after 2026. There are many issues that we care about, such as dual-purpose infrastructure and critical infrastructure. Our plan is intensive and will require a lot of work. By May 27 we have to finish negotiations; by June 20 there is to be a decision from the European Commission. At the same time, work on the law will be underway,” Pełczyńska-Nałęcz added. As she pointed out, “It is necessary and will be the cornerstone of the KPO.” In her opinion, “the law must be adopted in the autum

Poland already spends 4.7% of its GDP on defense, a larger share than any other NATO member, and wants to increase spending to 5% of GDP by next year.