European Commission approves EUR 137 billion for Poland, farmers to receive 1.4 billion

The European Commission issued the statement on its website.

The unlocking of access to EU funding totaling EUR 137 billion is contingent upon reforms in Poland's rule of law and the implementation of measures aimed at addressing the primary challenges to bolstering the independence of the judiciary.

Poland is to receive the first tranche of 6.3 billion in the coming weeks. According to Warsaw's request, this money is needed to implement 25 ambitious reforms and 5 key investments that will help increase the resilience and competitiveness of the country's economy, promote green energy and digital transformation, and support health and clean mobility.

Funds are also needed to support farmers.

"Worth €1.4 billion, one of the biggest measures in the Polish plan concerns investment in the agricultural sector. Support is also already flowing to thousands of farmers and fishermen, as well as SMEs in the agricultural sector, to help them expand and modernise their production and enter new markets," the European Commission said.

Another item of expenditure is to promote investment in the construction of onshore wind farms and improve air quality in Poland.

By 2027, Poland will receive EUR 59.8 billion from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), of which EUR 25.3 billion are grants and EUR 34.5 billion are loans.

Another EUR 76.5 billion will be provided to Poland from the Cohesion Policy funds.

The European Commission indicates that it will closely and constantly monitor Poland's implementation of the measures taken to strengthen the rule of law through monitoring committees, annual performance evaluation meetings, reports and audits.

The European Commission will freeze funding for Poland if it finds that the measures taken are not being implemented.

• On February 24, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised Polish Prime Minister Tusk that the EU would unblock EUR 137 billion for Poland, frozen due to the rule of law issues.