Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an informal EU summit in Cyprus, Tusk said he had discussed the SAFE program with European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen.
He said Brussels "fully understood" Poland's proposal to use state development bank BGK as its institutional partner, but that arrangement required "a somewhat more flexible approach" from the Commission on procedural grounds.
"Nobody here is thinking about using procedures against this project. Poland is treated as absolutely the most important element of this mechanism. Everyone will work together with us to spend all available funds effectively and quickly," Tusk said.
The EU's SAFE program provides EUR 150 billion in low-interest loans, primarily for the purchase of military equipment, with preference given to European-made arms.
'No Russians in the room'
Tusk also struck an upbeat tone on the broader summit atmosphere, saying the mood among EU leaders had shifted markedly following the recent election victory of Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar.
He quipped that leaders felt relief because "for the first time in years, there were no Russians in the room"—a reference to Hungary's outgoing Moscow-friendly Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who skipped the summit.
"Magyar's victory is something truly important," Tusk said. "It shows there is a future for Europe, for democracy and for the rule of law."
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP