SAFE criticism and own proposal
Following a Wednesday gathering with the president of the National Bank of Poland Adam Glapinski, president Karol Nawrocki reported that the talks afraid the improvement of an alternate to the European SAFE programme. He stressed that in the Chancellery of the president of the Republic of Poland, analyses prepared by experts and consultations with the National Bank of Poland have been conducted for respective weeks. The consequence is simply a proposal for a program called “Polish SAFE 0 percent”.
During the press conference, the president pointed out that after weeks of work of experts at the President's Chancellery and activities of NBP president Adam Glapiński there was a discussion on the concept of this alternative.
President Karol Nawrocki reiterated his reservations about the SAFE programme. In his view, this mechanics involves long-term financial commitments that could be repaid up to 2070. Nawrocki besides highlighted legal issues. In his opinion, the programme may conflict with the Treaty on European Union, specifically Article 4, which assumes that work for safety falls within the competence of the associate States. The president besides pointed out the conditionality of the payments under SAFE. He stressed that the provisions concerning these mechanisms could, in his opinion, endanger the unchangeable improvement of the Polish armed forces.
Karol Nawrocki noted that during the talks with Glapinski, details of circumstantial expenditure under the proposed "Polish SAFE 0%" programme were not discussed yet. However, as the president stressed, the funds would be allocated to the most urgent needs of the Polish armed forces, without the restrictions and conditions provided for in the European programme. SAFE. Among possible purchases, Nawrocki listed American production equipment, including aircraft F-35 Lightning II, and ammunition and another elements of military equipment. In his opinion, specified a financing model would supply Poland with greater flexibility in responding to the needs of the modernization of the army and would let it to keep the continuity of the purchasing policy conducted in fresh years.
Glapiński ready to cooperate
During the press conference the president of the National Bank of Poland, Adam Glapiński, besides spoke. He assured that the central bank was willing to cooperate with both the government and the president in the possible implementation of the proposed programme. At the same time, Glapiński pointed out that the NBP abroad reserves are owned by all citizens and that the central bank only serves as their manager.
In answering questions about possible sources of backing for the programme, he explained that it was not possible to make direct usage of part of the central bank's reserves as this would be incompatible with the applicable rules. However, he pointed out that 1 of the possible elements of the financing could be the NBP profit, which is mostly transferred to the state budget.
Invitation for Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
Karol Nawrocki stressed that if needed, the Chancellery of the president of the Republic of Poland will take a legislative initiative to improve the preparation of a task called “Polish SAFE 0 percent”. At the same time, he hoped that action to safeguard the safety of the state would become a uniting component for citizens.
The president besides announced that on the same day he would send a letter to Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz with an invitation to a gathering devoted to the proposal of SAFE 0 percent.
Today I will compose to Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz, inviting to a gathering around the Polish SAFE 0 percent. (...) – promised Nawrocki. “After today’s gathering with prof. Glapinski, after the analysis of specialists, I have no uncertainty that due to the stableness of the improvement of the Polish armed forces, due to financial issues, due to legal issues, the Polish SAFE zero percent is better for the Polish armed forces than the European SAFE with these burdens that we discuss in the Polish public opinion.
