Poland's EU leadership priorities, foreign minister on Polish US relations, driving licences of alimony dodgers are no longer threatened.
Dziennik Gazeta Prawna presents the programme for Poland's EU presidency, which falls in the second half of 2011.
The main aims of the Polish rotating leadership of the EU are the strengthening of the EU's defence policy and energy security of Europe, writes the paper.
Poland wants to convince EU partners that the European Defence Agency should have the capabilities to purchase the most technologically advanced weapons, and a representative of the EU should take part in the North Atlantic Council which would increase EU influence in NATO. As far as energy security is concerned, Poland wants the EU to be prepared in case of a total cut in gas supplies from Russia. The daily highlights the fact that plans are already outlined to allow for immediate assistance to a country that might find themselves in such a position.
In an interview for Rzeczpospolita, Poland's Foreign Minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, says that Poland's security should have its foundations in this country's NATO membership and in European security policy. Poland should be able to defend itself in situations when the US or NATO do not want to get involved, says Minister Sikorski.
Commenting on the cancelled plans to set up the US anti missile defence shield in Poland, Sikorski stresses that the objective was to assure US military presence in Poland. FM Sikorski points out that the US is guided by its own political motives. "Poland is perceived in the USA like Estonia is seen in Poland: that is, a country which we like, but which we find it hard to empathize with," publishes the daily.
Gazeta Wyborcza warns of looming food price hikes. The paper publishes a long list of products which may soon be more expensive, but consoles readers with information that there are some foodstuffs which may become cheaper.
While prices of sugar and milk and dairy products are expected to fall, costs of vegetables and fruits are to remain stable with tendencies to drop. However, pork and beef will see a steep surge in cost, which may lead to an increase in the price of poultry, now considered at a reasonably affordable level, writes the paper.
The daily Gazeta Wyborcza comments on the ruling of the Constitutional Tribunal – which decided that the regulation allowing for confiscating driving licences from alimony dodgers is against the Constitution, as it runs parallel with a penalty for not paying court-ruled alimony. Opponents of the decision argue that it was an effective, if not large scale, means of assuring payment.
Over 20,500 licences were confiscated from July this year. Now, alimony dodgers who owe in total over 1 billion zloty, will continue increasing their debt, writes Gazeta Wyborcza.
And Polska the Times comments that Polish schools neglect to offer a social education. Classes are conducted in a way which resembles a rat race , instead of teaching young people team work. The result is that over 55 percent of 15 year olds have suffered from aggression and rejection on part of their peers. (adb/mmj)