EU presidency to cost Poland 110 million euro

David_18 65 | 966

23 Oct 2010 / #1

Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs will spend 110 million euro during the country's EU presidency in the second half of 2011. It's also been revealed that there will be a shortage of accommodation for visiting delegations to Poland during that time.

Poland will hold the EU presidency for half a year , but already now preparing entered a decisive phase. Foreign experts have designated more than 500 issues of importance to the EU , which will have to deal with representatives of the Polish . For the period between July and December 2011. Planned 150 events . Most of them are conferences and meetings of politicians and officials from the EU, who have to prepare and lead the Poles.

The need for this about 1,200 officials whose training has just begun . They must learn to negotiate and conferences in English and French ( the working languages of the EU ) and to meet EU legislation and decision-making mechanisms.

Is the EU presidency worth 110 million euro? It is indeed a prestigious thing but still i don't think it would make any diffrence on Polands impact in europe.

SeanBM 34 | 5781

23 Oct 2010 / #2

Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will spend 110 million euro during the country’s EU presidency in the second half of 2011.

Can they take it out of the 67.3 Billion (milliard for the Poles) that the E.U. is giving Poland?

And that's only funds available in the years 2007-13, there is and was more...

there will be a shortage of accommodation for visiting delegations to Poland during that time.

I have a spare bedroom if they're stuck.

Is the EU presidency worth 110 million euro?

First good question you have asserted.

It is indeed a prestigious thing but still i don't think it would make any diffrence on Polands impact in europe.

Yes, countries need to feel empowered in the E.U. not dominated.

alexw68

23 Oct 2010 / #3

Maybe not, but the rotating presidency is one of the rules of the game. And a good one in the realm of corporate governance, you ensure this way that the 'big hitters' don't monopolise the process.

And let's not forget that net inflows from EU development programs into Poland have amounted to FAR more than the EUR 110m figure - by a factor of at least 60. Indeed, in the context of what the vastly overstaffed Kancelaria Prezydencka (to name but one such instutition) fritter away annually, it really is small beer.

OP David_18 65 | 966

23 Oct 2010 / #4

Can they take it out of the 65 Billion (milliard for the Poles) that the E.U. is giving Poland?

Very funny ;)

I have a spare bedroom if Obama is stuck.

He have been ignoring Poland during his whole presidency so i got a feeling he will continue to do so.

Yes, countries need to feel empowered in the E.U. not dominated.

In some aspects EU is a joke...

Bratwurst Boy 8 | 11935

23 Oct 2010 / #5

Is the EU presidency worth 110 million euro? It is indeed a prestigious thing but still i don't think it would make any diffrence on Polands impact in europe

If being for 6 month the center of the EU won't make any impact on Polands standing then what will (besides the coming football EC)...

It's a make or break possibility for Poland! The performance will be remembered...

Amathyst 19 | 2700

23 Oct 2010 / #6

It is indeed a prestigious thing but still i don't think it would make any diffrence on Polands impact in europe.

So if Poland were overlooked you be complaining...FFS..there's no pleasing some people!! Wasnt there a thread about Poland being by the rest of Europe!

David, you need to think before you post...

SeanBM 34 | 5781

23 Oct 2010 / #7

In some aspects EU is a joke...

And in others it is a very real and seriously good for Poland. The freedom to travel and work and the billions being pumped in to the country.

OP David_18 65 | 966

23 Oct 2010 / #8

And let's not forget that net inflows from EU development programs into Poland have amounted to FAR more than the EUR 110m figure

Yes indeed but 110m euro is a lot for a country like Poland. Poland don't got money to play around with like some countries seems to have.

So if Poland were overlooked you be complaining

Im not against the EU presidency, im against of the costs and the small benefits that you gain by it.

If being for 6 month the center of the EU won't make any impact on Polands standing then what will (besides the coming football EC)...

The Polish entrepreneurs i hope.

Something the polish goverment need to work on is how it spend its money. I would like to see more money thrown in to the education system and science.

And in others it is a very real and seriously good for Poland.

Indeed it is.

hague1cmaeron 14 | 1366

24 Oct 2010 / #9

Why the fuk would want to take all those delegates with you? I bet most of them treat it as a junket.

delphiandomine 86 | 17823

24 Oct 2010 / #10

would like to see more money thrown in to the education system and science.

The education system is a black hole - I wouldn't invest a thing without serious institutional reform. And it needs to be a real reform instead of cosmetic.

Polonius3 980 | 12275

1 Jul 2011 / #11

Merged:

What do you think of Polish EU Presidency 2011?

What do you think of the Polish EU Preisdency? Is it just a big PR/propaganda campaign and a waste of taxpayers' money or will it provide tangible benefits to the country, improve its image, attract investments and toruists, etc.?

convex 20 | 3928

1 Jul 2011 / #12

What do you think of the Polish EU Preisdency?

Well, it's an obligation first and foremost. Will be interesting to see the influence over energy policy.

aphrodisiac 11 | 2427

1 Jul 2011 / #13

not exactly on topic,but worth watching- the light show as part of the inauguration ceremony in Szczecin (June 30 2011)
youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=plrAIo3HvRU

alexw68

1 Jul 2011 / #14

The early signs aren't promising.

A link from an EU press release to 'Poland's EU presidency priorities' looks like this:

prezydencjaue.gov.pl/en/ <-- Nice logo, shame about the substance.

When you do find the actual priority doc [prezydencjaue.gov.pl/en/the-priorities-of-the-polish-presidency+polish+presidency+priorities] - google cache, though, you get this:

Holding the Presidency of the European Union will require definition of the most important fields of action for the Union during the Polish Presidency. The activity of respective forums should be predetermined and planned in detail in the Council of the EU for when Poland presides, and the priorities of the Polish Presidency determined in this respect.
The establishment of the priorities of the Polish Presidency will require analysis of many factors. Apart from the interests of Poland, the following issues should be taken into consideration:

Pure, urzędowy bollocks. It doesn't really suggest much in the way of a coherent program.

Anyway, all bets are surely off if the EU finds itself having to contend with a Greek default.

rybnik 18 | 1444

1 Jul 2011 / #15

worth watching- the light show as part of the inauguration ceremony in Szczecin (June 30 2011)

why Szczecin?

alexw68

1 Jul 2011 / #16

Aphro has more political influence than we will ever know :)

aphrodisiac 11 | 2427

1 Jul 2011 / #17

why Szczecin?

why not? I don't know:)

Szczecin as a city wanted to celebrate that date and it is a good city self- promotion since the celebration was broadcasted on national TV. Energy company was one of the sponsors.

Aphro has more political influence than we will ever know :)

yes;)

Local government wants to promote the city of Szczecin, because it is a great city and it has not been developing as fast as the other major cities in Poland.

@Rybnik
local government in Poland is pretty strong. During your visit to Poland you will find out that Poland has changed a LOT.

rybnik 18 | 1444

1 Jul 2011 / #18

I simply can't wait!

Seanus 15 | 19666

1 Jul 2011 / #19

It will be a chance for Kommie to prove that he exists by emerging from hibernation. He needs to do sth of note!

Bartolome 2 | 1083

1 Jul 2011 / #20

Presidency of the EU, especially by not-so-strong-an-economy as is Poland is currently rated as not having such significance as it used to have several years ago, but Poland could, as a country not previously involved in colonial adventures in MENA countries, be an exporter of the 'Round Table' idea into that region. However, the Greek mess will be the priority for the EU now and I suppose that Libya et al. will have to wait for a while.

rybnik 18 | 1444

1 Jul 2011 / #21

I think it's a proud day for Poland. Also, I feel expectations are low, which is a very good thing. Hopefully, Poland will do a good job and raise some eyebrows ;) Polak potrafi!

Gruffi_Gummi - | 106

2 Jul 2011 / #22

Yeah, a big PR/propaganda campaign, something not unlike the Harvest Festivals during Gierek's rule. Tangible benefits - negligible.

Amathyst 19 | 2700

5 Jul 2011 / #23

I think it's a proud day for Poland. Also, I feel expectations are low, which is a very good thing. Hopefully, Poland will do a good job and raise some eyebrows ;) Polak potrafi!

They all get their turn, its like water monitor at school, nothing spesh!

Ironside 50 | 12560

5 Jul 2011 / #24

What do you think of the Polish EU Preisdency?

Absolutely nothing, I just wounder what they will screw up.

delphiandomine 86 | 17823

5 Jul 2011 / #25

It doesn't really suggest much in the way of a coherent program.

Nup, my feeling is that everyone is looking at the 2011 election and this is just an inconvenient sideshow.

Didn't the UK almost totally ignore the Presidency a while ago?

OP David_18 65 | 966

5 Jul 2011 / #26

I think that by ignoring the show you're ignoring the audience who put you there.
Simon Cowell

Only the British goverment loose when they play the game "I will Ignore you since im so much better then you".

Nobody will Respect a country that is disrespecting others.

delphiandomine 86 | 17823

6 Jul 2011 / #27

I think that by ignoring the show you're ignoring the audience who put you there.

Or perhaps there's a more simple reason - the UK sees it as a monumental waste of time and money and decided that a low-key approach suited the UK far more than a high profile approach?

Only the British goverment loose when they play the game "I will Ignore you since im so much better then you".

Not really - the EU can't afford to ignore one of the biggest economies in the world. It's well understood that the UK, despite playing a game of "we couldn't care less" is actually (along with France and Germany) ruling the EU.

Nobody will Respect a country that is disrespecting others.

People tend to respect the might of bigger countries.

OP David_18 65 | 966

6 Jul 2011 / #28

Not really. What kinda respect does the US have nowadays?

It's well understood that the UK, despite playing a game of "we couldn't care less" is actually (along with France and Germany) ruling the EU.

But at the same time "small" countries like Poland can just veto their ass just like they did by blocking an agreement to aim for deeper emissions cuts.

The UK is powerless against countries like Poland. While the UK "Ignores" Poland the Germans and the French will take the opportunity to get closer to Poland and outnumber the UK in the EU parlament.

So who's the looser in this case? The UK.

delphiandomine 86 | 17823

6 Jul 2011 / #29

Not really. What kinda respect does the US have nowadays?

Plenty. Like it or hate it, the US can easily bully many other countries to get their way.

But at the same time "small" countries like Poland can just veto their ass just like they did by blocking an agreement to aim for deeper emissions cuts.

Poland can't get away with it so easily - such behaviour (thus pissing off the Big 3) is always going to backfire - as they now find themselves without allies when it comes to a bigger EU budget.

The UK is powerless against countries like Poland. While the UK "Ignores" Poland the Germans and the French will take the opportunity to get closer to Poland and outnumber the UK in the EU parlament.

The EU is far too complicated for that sort of thing - there really is no such thing as a "voting bloc" in the EU. Generally speaking though, the UK has pretty much agreed that she will have an opt-out from any particularly controversial things - and at the same time, leaves Germany ad France to push ahead with things such as Schengen and the Euro.

PennBoy 76 | 2429

6 Jul 2011 / #30

EU's Barry Madlener:we don't need Polish unemployed & Romanian beggars

An MP for the anti-Islam party PVV in the European parliament has been accused of being a racist during a debate on the Polish presidency of the EU in Strasbourg.

During the debate, Barry Madlener said the Netherlands 'does not want to pay for the upkeep of the Polish unemployed or Romanian beggars', according to Dutch media reports.

And there was this....