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Poland not agree with introduced EU climate norms: PM

Xinhua, April 5, 2017 Adjust font size:

Poland doesn't agree with the introduced European Union (EU) climate policy norms, Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo announced Wednesday.

"As for climate policy, our position is clear: we do not agree with the norms that have been introduced. We will be consistent in protesting and looking for new solutions," Szydlo said.

She made the remarks at a press conference when asked about Poland's strategy towards the EU climate directive, considering that the country's power industry is based mainly on coal.

Szydlo referred to an amendment to the National Emission Ceilings Directive (NEC) that aimed at reducing emissions from industry, traffic, power plants and agriculture. National emission commitments concern the period after 2020, but targets after year 2030 are also set.

The prime minister added that the EU climate norms were not only problem to Polish economy but to the other central European countries as well. "We will protect our economy," Szydlo said.

Asked about her statement that she was immune to "blackmail and pressure, which are also used in Brussels," Szydlo explained that she was talking about a pressure in the EU, a good example of which were the climate solutions.

She said that according to the treaties, the solidarity within the EU should be respected and interests of every country, not just the strongest ones, should be taken into consideration.

The NEC directive requires that the countries commit themselves to decreasing emission of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds, ammonia and fine particles. The estimated costs for Poland, compared with other EU countries, is much higher, mostly due to coal-based economy and poor air quality. Endit