International

Polish government to provide over $500 million in subsidies to farmers affected by low grain prices

The Polish government will pay subsidies worth 2.1 billion zlotys ($516.49 million) to farmers to compensate them for low grain prices, according to a draft law published Friday on the website of the Warsaw Executive, reports Reuters, quoted by Agerpres.

Farmers in Poland and other EU member states have protested in recent months over low prices for agricultural products, which they say are caused by high imports from Ukraine as well as the constraints imposed on them by EU environmental rules.

"The aid is intended to compensate farmers for losses suffered as a result of the market situation, caused by Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and to increase the turnover from grain sales, thus accelerating the emptying of silos before the next harvest", reads the text of the normative act.

The grants will be financed from the Polish Relief Fund, whose main objective is to support Ukrainian refugees. Under current regulations, the Polish Relief Fund will in turn receive the money from savings made elsewhere in the public sector and possibly from bonds issued by the Polish state-owned Development Bank (BGK).

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Maia Sandu at the Budapest Summit: Moldova needs support to strengthen its Institutions and democracy
Political

Maia Sandu at the Budapest Summit: Moldova needs support to strengthen its Institutions and democracy

Today, 47 heads of state and government are participating in the fifth edition of the European Political Community Summit in Budapest. The agenda focuses on the security challenges facing Europe, particularly the situation in Ukraine. During the roundtable discussions, leaders will address specific topics of common interest, such as migration and economic security. The head of state Maia Sandu is participating in.

Correspondence // Budapest hosts the fifth meeting of the European Political Community
International

Correspondence // Budapest hosts the fifth meeting of the European Political Community

While EU leaders primarily focus on the West and the Atlantic, their attention briefly shifts to Hungary for the European Political Community (EPC) meetings on Thursday and Friday. These meetings are organized in Budapest by Viktor Orbán's Hungary, which holds the European Union's rotating presidency until the year's end. Following Donald Trump's recent victory in the US election, Orbán finds himself in a position of strength, ensuring he faces no backlash for congratulating the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party after the recent elections in Georgia.

Marta Kos addresses the European Parliament: Collaborating with Kyiv and Chisinau on planned reforms
International

Marta Kos addresses the European Parliament: Collaborating with Kyiv and Chisinau on planned reforms

The European Parliament is currently hearing from the European Commissioners-designate. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) want to evaluate the skills, independence, and commitment to European values of the future members of the College of Commissioners, which is set to be led by Ursula von der Leyen. The Foreign Affairs Committee questioned Marta Kos, Slovenian candidate for the Enlargement portfolio. She emphasized that the expansion process has become a priority, particularly due to the situation in Ukraine.