Polish PM Promises Reliability, Stability and Fairness
At a recent conference, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared that foreign oil and gas companies that are ready to invest in Poland can expect a stable economic environment, predictable legal conditions and friendly public opinion.
“To those who want to cooperate with us on shale gas and earn money with us, we promise reliability, stability and fair attitude towards our common goal.” – said the Prime Minister at the opening of “The Second Shale Science Conference” in Warsaw.
Fair share
Donald Tusk assured that a new legal framework would guarantee profits for the country as well as stability and profitability for companies. Continuing works on new regulations, as the PM said, would lead to the creation of a legal system “allowing to plan for long-term costs and profits”.
The PM added that the existence of proven reserves in Poland, its level of import dependence, combined with a vision, should allow foreign companies and the Poles to make profit together and share it “fairly among all interested parts”.
Donald Tusk emphasized that the government was ready to spend public money on investments needed by the industry. “We speak of long-term investments, not only drilling and extraction costs, but also soft infrastructure and environmental protection. The system of gas pipelines alone will cost up to 8 billion zlotys”.
The prime minister also mentioned the outstanding level of public support for the development of shale gas reserves in Poland, “both on the local and national level”.
Oasis of growth
"Investors are not going to risk their money in a place that does not guarantee stability" – observed the head of government, who said his cabinet is creating a solid base for overall economic and financial stability in Poland for decades to come.
Acknowledging that “without foreign technologies and often also without foreign financial effort the undertaking would not be possible” the PM noted that Poland has become a unique place to invest.
Comparing stable economic, political and social conditions in Poland to the turmoil in some EU states - “past oases of happiness” - the PM argued, that “significance of this stability is comparable to the importance of the reserves” .
“The starting point is very important” – added Donald Tusk - “I`m convinced, we`re lucky, because we are well over three years away from elections and have a stable majority in the parliament.
(Donald Tusk is the first Polish prime minister in post-communism era to win a second term last year. On the other hand, the highly unpopular pension reform and extending the retirement age has reduced his popularity and the latest poll by CBOS shows that for first time since 2007 his ruling PO party has lost its lead over the main opposition party)