Poland seeks access to EU SAFE defence fund despite veto

The Polish government is preparing to take a step that would allow it to use part of the European defence funds despite a presidential veto.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Friday that the cabinet will approve a resolution paving the way for drawing money from the EU’s SAFE programme. The fund is intended to support the defence and modernisation of member states’ armed forces.

The problem arose after the president vetoed a law that would have created a mechanism for distributing the funds in Poland. However, according to Tusk, the government does not want to wait for a political solution to the dispute and is looking for a way to speed up the process.

According to the prime minister, the resolution should enable the finalisation of the Polish armed forces programme.

(reuters, pir)