Brussels, 19/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - European Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner announced on Thursday 13 December 2007 that the European Commission was to make its biggest-ever Community investment - an Operational Programme worth €27.9 billion for Poland on environment and infrastructure. The programme is for the development of transport, environment and social infrastructure (higher education, healthcare) throughout Poland over the next seven years.
Development difficulties in Poland are to a great extent caused by either the lack of infrastructure or its poor condition. The programme treats basic infrastructure (transport, energy, environment) and social infrastructure in an integrated way. Cohesion Fund investment amounts to €22.8 billion and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) will contribute €5.74 billion. Poland will complement the EU investment with €9.65 billion. (G.B.)