Between 26 and 28 May, MEPs from the Budgets Committee will travel to Warsaw and Rzeszow to examine the budgetary implications of EU security.
The six-member delegation, led by Mr Janusz Lewandowski (EPP, Poland), aims to assess the budgetary implications of strengthening EU preparedness in light of the return of high-intensity warfare in Europe, with a particular focus on Poland, located on the EU’s eastern flank and having significantly increased its national defence spending. As security threats increasingly take hybrid forms, substantial investment is required not only in defence, but also across a wide range of sectors.
During their visit, MEPs will meet with senior Polish officials, including Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński, Deputy Speaker of the Sejm Szymon Hołownia, Chairwoman of the European Union Affairs Committee Agnieszka Pomaska, and Mayor of Warsaw Rafał Trzaskowski. The programme also includes meeting with Hans Leijtens, Executive Director of the Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, as well as a visit to the agency’s Operational Centre. In Rzeszów, MEPs will focus on innovation, aerospace production, and EU-funded logistics infrastructure supporting Ukraine.
The delegation will be led by Janusz Lewandowski (EPP, PL) and will include Michalis Hadjipantela (EPP, CY), Jean-Marc Germain (S&D, FR), Matjaž Nemec (S&D, SI), and Andrzej Halicki (EPP, PL). Lena Düpont (EPP, DE), representing the LIBE Committee, will accompany the delegation to Frontex.
A press point is planned with the head of the delegation on Tuesday, 26 May, between 14.00 and 14.30. You can follow the livestream here.
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“During our visit to Poland, we are fully aware that we are meeting the largest beneficiary of EU funds since 2004. We acknowledge the effective way in which Poland has been implementing EU assistance, modernising its transport and environmental infrastructure, as well as its health service and education system. Our delegation will present its ‘interim’ position on the MFF 2028-2034, which is positive for the cohesion countries, while also striving for geographical balance in the distribution of other funds. We look forward to hearing Poland’s expectations. Due to Poland’s proximity to the frontline of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, in the second part of our mission we will travel from Warsaw to the Rzeszów area to inspect the major hub for military and non-military deliveries to Ukraine. This will also allow us to understand the challenges of daily life in the region, which borders the Ukrainian battlefield,” said Janusz Lewandowski, head of the delegation, ahead of the visit.
To get in touch with the MEPs, please contact the press officer in Warsaw, Mr. Mateusz Kicka, (+48) 603 160 964), mateusz.kicka@europarl.europa.eu.