Brussels, 02/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 2 June, the European Commission welcomed progress made during the meeting between Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes and Polish Treasury Minister Aleksander Grad, on the subject of the shipyards in Gdansk, Gdynia and Szczecin. Addressing the press, the commissioner said she felt confident, adding “I could soon be in the position to propose to my colleagues the adoption of a positive decision for the Gdansk shipyard”, once “a few technical issues” have been resolved. The Gdansk shipyard, which is part of cultural heritage as being the cradle of “Solidarnosc” (Solidarity), was bought up in 2007 by the Ukrainian group, Donbass, but the latter's restructuring plans have never been approved by the Commission despite considerable revision. The commissioner, however, said on Tuesday that she was almost satisfied with the last version presented, although she added there were still some details to be verified concerning the “financial institution that is involved in this whole operation” and “the amount we are talking of”. As far as the Gdynia and Szczecin shipyards are concerned, the commissioner welcomed clarification on the subject of their liquidation (ordered by Brussels last November) and postponed the date of the Commission's final decision till end June. (C.D./transl.jl)