It is simply a historical day for Małopolska, it is an infrastructure breakthrough for this region – said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in Kraków present after he announced a evidence investment package worth over PLN 15 billion. As the head of the MON stressed, projects will besides translate into defence capabilities of Poland.
During the press conference, which was besides attended by the Minister of Infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak and the Małopolski Voivodeship Janusz Klęczar, it was announced that the A4 motorway between Krakow and Opole would be extended for a full dimension of 120 km. Further work was besides announced on the S7 expressway towards Zakopane and the construction of a fresh Podleże-Gdów railway line.
8 BLT the second belt beneficiary
The first of the projects is to cost PLN 10 billion and the 3rd and 4th lanes will be created in both directions. – It is besides essential to build and modernise respective 100 engineering facilities – said Minister Klimczak, referring to viaducts, exits, ILOs, etc. The work at S7 will be PLN 2.5 billion, while the railway line built from scratch (the first specified task in Poland for many years) will require investments of PLN 3 million.
As Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamish stressed, the increased capacity of "a-four" is simply a direct advantage for the military, especially in crisis situations. He added that these works would besides be accompanied by another investments, especially the expansion of the airport in Balice. According to the plans, the port is to be able to operate 20 million passengers per year. “And all this in the dual usage regime,” he assured the head of the MON and recalled that there was an 8th Transport Air Base in Bali. “The unit will be the beneficiary of the second belt, the construction of which is planned in the coming years,” Kosiniak-Kamish said. The assurances of both ministers show that environmental approvals will be issued in a fewer weeks to let for the launch of airport investment.
On the occasion of the conference in Małopolska Regional Office, it was informed that in 13 months – 16 March 2027 – the toll collection strategy on the A4 motorway will be extinguished. – The ride will be free for motorcycles, passenger cars, respective times cheaper for trucks. Minister Klimczak besides assured that the A4 motorway is yet to be energy autonomous.
About SAFE and its own atomic umbrella
Journalists asked Minister Kosiniak-Kamish if the government had a plan B in case of veto of the president of Poland to SAFE Act. “No decisions have yet been made, let’s give the president a chance to speak.” replied the politician. He added that it was hard for him to imagine that the head of the armed forces did not want a "good, effective, strong modernization of the army" implemented on the basis of the "General Staff Guidelines". “But SAFE is just a financial instrument,” stressed the head of the MON. – This is not a discussion about the form of modernization of the Polish army, due to the fact that this 1 has already been agreed and accepted. At the same time, SAFE is the most beneficial instrument, its absence will force us to look for resources from another sources. But this search may be more laborious. It will besides be much more costly and we will not make many essential military investments in due time – the Deputy Prime Minister observed.
When asked about Poland's participation in Operation Arctic Guard, assured that he had asked the Head of the General Staff of the Polish Army to present his own concept. – I think it is worth listening to the analysis of the General Staff and then make a final decision. And so we will work – said Kosiniak-Kamish.
Journalists besides asked the Deputy Prime Minister about the president's thought of building their own atomic capabilities. The head of the MON replied that specified issues – both a national programme and a atomic umbrella – are the subject of analyses and joint decisions within NATO. He pointed out that he favoured the openness of the French president to the atomic umbrella. He besides stressed that it is worth developing his own investigation and improvement capabilities, but in atomic matters it is better to act than to predict. – This is 1 of the most delicate topics, which is why it requires discretion, reliability and decisions taken at the allied level alternatively than public declarations – the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out.
