The Sejm raised defense spending to at least 2 percent. GDP – Onet.pl

 
  Photo: Jakub Kaminski / PAP
 
 
  Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence Tomasz Siemoniak
 
 
 

The Act establishes the level of defense spending on at least 2 percent. GDP from the previous year, starting next year. Currently, the share of defense expenditure in GDP is 1.95 percent. Last year’s defense budget amounted to approx. 32 billion zł. According to estimates, after the amendment of defense spending will increase by approx. 1 billion zł per year.

“I am very pleased. This is one of the most important days in my tenure as minister of national defense, the realization of what the Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz said in his policy statement, which said President Bronislaw Komorowski. We are already at the level recommended by the NATO and confirmed at the summit in Newport “- told reporters after voting in the Sejm Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tomasz Siemoniak.

He also expressed satisfaction that the bill was voted “almost unanimously”. “I hope that the Senate and the president will sign the law, and this decision will be taken into consideration at the planning budget for the year 2016″ – he added.

He estimated that the increase in defense spending is “a very good and important decision because of the current security situation, and due to be implemented modernization program. “

Measures resulting from an increase in the defense budget to be allocated” on modernization, modern technologies, for jobs in Poland “- said Siemoniak.

Referring to appeal to raise the salaries of civilian employees troops, Defence Minister, Deputy Prime Minister assured that he knows this problem and appreciates its importance. “Indeed, when it comes to the realm of the administration, the civilian employees in the Defense Ministry and the Interior Ministry are among the lowest paid. We are working on this, I believe absolutely that this group deserves special treatment, welcome this vote as support. He noted that the declarations would be premature decisions depend on the budgetary possibilities, and the Defense Ministry has 40 thousand. civilian employees, “so it’s not about small amounts”. “But we’re working, because the problem is serious,” – he added.

The Sejm rejected an amendment assumes that the share of expenditure property (purchases, repairs) in the years 2016-2023 would amount to at least 25 percent. defense budget and, since 2024. – 20 percent. – As much as today. There has also found support proposed provision that the value of purchases made in the Polish industry is at least 60 percent. capital expenditures. On the eve of the vote deputy defense minister Czeslaw Mroczek argued that it would be not only contrary to EU law, but it could also reduce the incentive to spend in the domestic industry more than the prescribed amount.

In addition to increasing defense spending – of at least 1.95 percent. at least 2 percent. GDP – amendment involves changing the programming cycle of military development with two- to four-year and the planning period of 6-year-old to 10-year-old – in accordance with the principles of defense planning in NATO. Additional revenue Armed Forces Modernisation Fund may become, among others, damages or liquidated damages received by military units as a result of non-compliance by suppliers with contracts to purchase weapons and military equipment, as well as donations, inheritances and legacies.

Investment in joint NATO’s military infrastructure under the NSIP will be temporarily financed from the state budget. The amendment also includes a clarification of provisions relating to specialized military services for military units. In practice, this means a departure from the principle that there must be a close relationship between the nature of the services provided by the unit and its training plan. Military units will be able to operate more flexibly – to provide services beyond training to civilians, or eg. To build a bridge, clear the area after the flood, if required by the public interest or the interests of the armed forces. Another change concerns the possibility of advance payment of public contracts awarded in the fields of defense and security, excluded from public procurement law.

Increasing defense spending announced in the October policy statement, Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz. Wednesday adopted an amendment is a combination of government projects and two deputies submitted by PiS and PSL.

About increase defense spending to at least 2 percent. Of GDP last year, they said President Bronislaw Komorowski and Prime Ministers Donald Tusk and Health Minister. Increasing the share of defense expenditure in GDP is the fulfillment of obligations from last year’s NATO summit in Newport. Allies declared then, that countries that spend less on defense, to reach 2 percent. GDP in 10 years.

Before the vote on the bill spoke to the deputies PO Agnieszka Pomaska ​​and Cezary Tomczyk. Pomaska ​​estimated that an increase in defense outlays will give Poland a sense of security. “The situation in Europe and for our eastern borders is still uncertain, especially from those countries that are adjacent to Russia, the Ukraine, coming to us bad signals. We know about these things for our eastern border in the coming months we will have to and want to talk because it also relates to the security of the European Union as a whole “- argued.

Tomczyk reminded that 2 percent . GDP on defense follows the recommendations of NATO. “It is important that we are one of the few countries in Europe that meets these recommendations. This is an additional one billion zlotys for the Polish defense, on the Polish army,” – said the deputy. He pointed out that this year’s budget MON is the highest in history – is over 38 billion zł. “Someone once said that the army is such that either is to his, or someone else’s – I think the choice is obvious,” – he added.

Act now take the Senate.