EU: speedy response on Polish shipyard rescue plan
The European Union has promised a swift decision on whether to approve Polish government rescue plans for two shipyards where thousands of jobs are at stake.
"My people are doing their utmost to be as quick as possible," EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes told a delegation of shipyard workers. "The most awful situation is to have that sword above your head and not know what the future may bring."
Some 200 workers from the Gdynia and Szczecin shipyards held a noisy but peaceful demonstration outside the European Commission's headquarters to demand that EU regulators keep the yards afloat.
The Polish government has presented a long-term business plan to the EU outlining its concept for restructuring the shipyards along with initial agreements with prospective investors.
Since Poland joined the EU in 2004, the two shipyards have received 2.147 billion euros ($3.04 billion) in government aid and production guarantees. On Tuesday, the government approved another aid package worth 353 million euros ($499 million) for both yards.
The EU says the monday violates state aid rules and distorts competitions with shipbuilders elsewhere in Europe.
It warned that without a tenable plan to make the yards independently profitable it would order the Polish government to reclaim the money, which could mean bankruptcy for the yards and the loss of thousands of jobs.