PM Tusk vows to make Poland a leader in Europe, backs Ukraine
Baku, December 12, AZERTAC
New Prime Minister Donald Tusk set out a pro-European Union vision for Poland and pledged strong support for Ukraine on Tuesday, a day after his appointment ended, Reuters reported.
Presenting his government's plans to parliament, Tusk said Poland would be a loyal ally of the United States and a committed member of NATO, and signaled his determination to mend Warsaw's ties with Brussels.
"Poland will regain its position as a leader in the European Union... Poland will build its strength, the position it deserves," said Tusk, later promising to "bring back billions of euros" from Brussels.
The European Commission, the EU executive, put significant funds earmarked for Poland on hold when the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party was in power.
Poland has gained approval to access 5.1 billion euros ($5.5 billion) in advance payments as part of an EU programme to encourage a shift from Russian fossil fuels.
Despite his pro-EU line, Tusk, who was also prime minister form 2007 to 2014, said he would oppose any changes of EU treaties that would disadvantage Poland.
"Any attempts to change treaties that are against our interests are out of the question ... no one will outplay me in the European Union," said Tusk, a former president of the European Council, which groups the leaders of EU member states.
Tusk, 66, also promised his government would make defence a priority and honour previously signed arms contracts.
PiS came first in an October 15 election and had the first shot at forming a government, but lacked the necessary majority to do so after all other parties ruled out working with it.
Tusk is expected to win a vote of confidence later on Tuesday, enabling his government to be sworn in by President Andrzej Duda on Wednesday morning.
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