Prime Minister Donald Tusk addressed President Karol Nawrocki and politicians from the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party and the far-right Confederation group, who have voiced doubts about the programme.
“Think about whether you really want to strike at the very heart of Poland at a time when there is such a cruel war beyond our borders," Tusk said ahead of a Cabinet meeting, referring to Russia's war in Ukraine.
“No one will forgive you for this," he added.
He said blocking Poland's participation in the initiative could mean losing billions of euros in investment, including nearly EUR 5 billion for the Huta Stalowa Wola defence plant in the southeast of the country.
According to projections by Poland’s Armament Agency, investment from the SAFE programme in Huta Stalowa Wola alone could exceed PLN 20 billion (EUR 4.75 billion), Tusk said.
The company produces Krab self-propelled howitzers, Borsuk infantry fighting vehicles and Rak self-propelled mortars.
"The whole world is interested in buying military equipment from us," Tusk said, arguing that the programme would boost Poland’s economy, defence capabilities and arms exports if it is carried out.
He also compared SAFE financing with previous arms deals under the PiS government, including contracts for South Korean K2 tanks, K9 howitzers and FA-50 aircraft.
Tusk said loans under the South Korean arrangements carried nearly double the interest rate of those available through SAFE.
Calling attempts to block the funds an “attack on Huta Stalowa Wola,” Tusk noted that the PiS party is set to hold a convention in the city of Stalowa Wola this weekend.
“I cannot understand what motivates those who are trying to block this money,” he said.
Tusk added that the government would seek alternative solutions if the legislation is vetoed but warned that doing so would cost time and potentially additional public funds.
The Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme provides up to EUR 150 billion in low-interest loans for military procurement, largely focused on equipment produced in Europe.
It is intended to strengthen EU defence capabilities and reduce reliance on US-made weapons.
EU member states on Tuesday formally approved Poland’s SAFE investment plan, under which Warsaw is set to receive EUR 43.7 billion in loans for 139 projects.
The government has said more than 80 percent of the funds would be spent within Poland’s defence industry.
Poland’s lower house of parliament last Friday passed legislation enabling access to the programme, with PiS and Confederation voting against it.
Opposition lawmakers have criticised the transparency of the funding and argued the mechanism could be used in the future as political leverage against Poland, citing previous disputes over EU pandemic recovery funds.
PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński said on Monday that Nawrocki should veto the bill, arguing that SAFE has "powerful political implications" and is aimed at uniting Europe "under German leadership."
Poland's upper house, the Senate, is set to begin debating the legislation on Wednesday.
Government officials have said it is crucial that the law be adopted quickly, as a loan agreement is expected to be signed by mid-March, with a first tranche of 15 percent of the total funds to be disbursed soon afterward.
(gs)
Source: IAR, PAP