Poland to Become Less Dependent on EU Funds

The Polish economy will become less and less dependent on the European Union funds, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said, commenting on possible reductions of funds for Poland in the future EU budget, Xinhua reported. “We have a misconception that our economy depends on EU funds,” Morawiecki told a local media. He added that due to the huge neglect of previous governments, Poland lacked the infrastructure and therefore the government would “fight very hard for EU’s structural funds and the common agricultural policy funds.” In early May, the European Commission passed a draft of the EU’s 2021-27 budget showing total members’ commitments of €1.279 trillion ($1.49 trillion) and payments of €1.246 trillion. Under the draft, Cohesion Policy and Common Agricultural Policy cuts may reach 7 and 5%, respectively. In addition, cohesion policy is expected to play a more important role in supporting structural reforms and the long-term integration of migrants. The draft budget envisages increasing national contributions, in commitments, to 1.11% of EU countries’ gross national income and, in payments, to 1.08% of GNI.