Poland appeals to EU for more time for shipyards
Poland may appeal to the European Council if the European Commission insists on Polish shipyards paying back more than 1 billion euros in state aid, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Thursday.
EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes told Poland's treasury minister on Wednesday she had serious doubts about his proposals to address the EU's objections.
A ruling to repay the aid would likely bankrupt the three shipyards, which were the birthplace of the Solidarity union that led the movement that ultimately brought down the communist regime. A ruling could come as early as next week.
"I think that at least some of the European officials lack good will. If there is such need we will appeal to the European Council," Tusk told reporters.
The Council is the EU's highest political body made up of the members' heads of state and the president of the Commission.
The European Commission is analysing restructuring plans for the Gdansk, Gdynia and Szczecin shipyards to see if they allowed the companies to avoid repaying state aid deemed illegal under EU laws.
The collapse of the shipyards, which employ 15,000, would be a political embarrassment for the centre-right government and could lead to massive protests by its workers. Tusk has blamed his predecessors for failing to resolve the lingering problem.
An estimated 2,000 shipyard workers protested in the northwestern city of Szczecin. Television channel TVN24 reported the workers carried banners reading "We want to work, not starve" and "We won't abandon the shipyard".
Some 200 Polish workers protested outside the EU headquarters last month. Their representatives met with Kroes and promised further actions if she rejects the Polish plans.
A spokesman for the European Commission declined to comment.
EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes told Poland's treasury minister on Wednesday she had serious doubts about his proposals to address the EU's objections.
A ruling to repay the aid would likely bankrupt the three shipyards, which were the birthplace of the Solidarity union that led the movement that ultimately brought down the communist regime. A ruling could come as early as next week.
"I think that at least some of the European officials lack good will. If there is such need we will appeal to the European Council," Tusk told reporters.
The Council is the EU's highest political body made up of the members' heads of state and the president of the Commission.
The European Commission is analysing restructuring plans for the Gdansk, Gdynia and Szczecin shipyards to see if they allowed the companies to avoid repaying state aid deemed illegal under EU laws.
The collapse of the shipyards, which employ 15,000, would be a political embarrassment for the centre-right government and could lead to massive protests by its workers. Tusk has blamed his predecessors for failing to resolve the lingering problem.
An estimated 2,000 shipyard workers protested in the northwestern city of Szczecin. Television channel TVN24 reported the workers carried banners reading "We want to work, not starve" and "We won't abandon the shipyard".
Some 200 Polish workers protested outside the EU headquarters last month. Their representatives met with Kroes and promised further actions if she rejects the Polish plans.
A spokesman for the European Commission declined to comment.