Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski responds harshly to Jarosław Kaczyński’s criticism of the EU’s SAFE defense program, calling for “exorcisms.”
Sikorski on Kaczyński’s Comments
During a press conference on Monday (February 16), Radosław Sikorski was asked about Jarosław Kaczyński’s comments regarding the SAFE program. “Here arguments are no longer sufficient, exorcisms are needed. The chairman has really come unglued,” stated the head of Polish diplomacy, as quoted by the portal 300polityka. “I remind you that Germany is our ally. Both in NATO and in our European family. (Kaczyński – red.) He’s trying to incite against a neighbor to which 1/4 of our exports go, and I’m very surprised that he hates the European Union so much that he can’t admit that the European Union does something good for Poland,” he added. Sikorski also assured that any veto would not prevent the implementation of the program. “The law is not a law on the adoption of SAFE. It is only a law on creating a more transparent institutional framework for the adoption of SAFE. So, Mr. President, you may veto, but SAFE will come anyway, the Polish Army will get the money,” he said.
Kaczyński’s Remarks on SAFE Program
On the same day, a press conference was held by PiS politicians, which also included Jarosław Kaczyński. The politician answered, among other things, a question about voting on the SAFE program. “As for the SAFE program, it has two aspects: (…) money (…) and another one, which is completely different, and it decided on our voting. First, the conditionality principle. This essentially comes down to this: when those rule whom we want, i.e., Berlin, then it’s like this, and when others rule, then it’s not,” said the leader of Law and Justice. In his opinion, this program is a mechanism that was created “primarily to push us away from the United States, from those Korean possibilities,” which would be “very harmful” for Poland. “In short, not everything that glitters is gold,” he added.
Kaczyński on German Leadership
He also stated that the authorities in Berlin are striving for “German leadership in Europe.” However, in his opinion, “Germany is the last country in Europe that should strive for leadership.” He argued this by saying that Germany “caused World War II, and before that had a large share in causing World War I,” and moreover, “has not accounted for, has not punished the criminals and has not paid reparations.” “This is a post-Nazi state, that’s how it should be defined, just as Poland, unfortunately, to a large extent, with the Czarzasty case being a good example, is a post-communist state. (…) Such a state should sit in the corner and apologize for living, not try to lead,” he added. He also appealed to the president to veto the law concerning the SAFE program. “What is being proposed to us is Poland under German boots. We reject this German one. Of course, in my opinion (president – red.), he should veto it, but of course, it is the president’s decision, not mine,” he said.
Tusk on PiS’s Reaction to SAFE
Law and Justice politicians have been criticizing the SAFE program almost from the beginning. Donald Tusk commented on their remarks before the National Security Council meeting (February 11). “Regarding SAFE, I want to emphasize one thing, because it has become an unnecessary, harmful, unwise political confrontation between us and the opposition and President Nawrocki. I have no doubts, it is clearly visible from the communications of the opposition and the Presidential Palace – our opponents would like to overturn this project. Just as they overturned a few years ago the issue of European Funds. This is not just stupidity, but only ill will – only internal political struggle. This is an attempt to destabilize Europe and limit Poland’s role in the EU,” said the head of government.
What is the SAFE Program?
Recall that the SAFE program is a financial instrument of the European Union, which is to financially support defense investments in member states. The most funds are to go to Poland (approx. 43.7 billion euros). SAFE – as emphasized by the government – provides very favorable financial conditions – low-interest loans with a 10-year payment deferral and a 45-year repayment period. According to assumptions, over 80% of the funds are to go to Polish companies, which is to strengthen the domestic industry and new technologies. The Sejm adopted the law on the implementation of the program on February 13. The Sejm adopted the law on the SAFE program. 236 deputies voted in favor, 199 were against, and four abstained. PiS, Confederation, and Confederation of the Polish Crown voted against it.