Media: Poland nears approval for €44 billion SAFE loan spending plan

Negotiations between Poland and the European Commission over the use of nearly €44 billion under the EU’s SAFE loan programme are approaching completion.

A European Commission delegation met with Polish officials in Warsaw on January 8 to discuss the final approval of the country’s spending plan, Caliber.Az reports via Polish media. 

Poland submitted 139 projects worth almost €44 billion to the Commission in late November, including initiatives aimed at enhancing the Eastern Shield programme, developing air-to-air refuelling capabilities, and strengthening security in the Baltic Sea region.

The EU’s SAFE programme has a total budget of €150 billion, making Poland the largest potential beneficiary. Ahead of the Christmas holidays, Polish authorities sent an updated plan to Brussels with several amendments, which one EU diplomat described as mostly cosmetic.

The European Commission is expected to complete its assessment of Poland’s plan by the end of January.

By Sabina Mammadli