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Polish PM: EU court's decision on Turów mine 'unfair'

22.05.2021 07:00
The Friday decision by Europe’s top court that Poland should halt the extraction of lignite at the Turów mine goes against the fundamental principles of the European Union, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has said.
Polands Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki speaking in Nidzica, northern Poland, May 21, 2021.
Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki speaking in Nidzica, northern Poland, May 21, 2021.Photo: PAP/Tomasz Waszczuk

In a statement published on Friday, Poland's PM said that any decisions taken by the court must not threaten the energy security of individual member states.

The Polish prime minister noted that the Turów power plant, supplied with lignite coal from the nearby mine, provides between 4-7 percent of Poland's power.

"Its stable operation guarantees that Polish households, schools, hospitals and enterprises are able to function (...) It [the mine] affects the security, health and existence of millions of Poles," the statement reads.

According to Morawiecki, the measures taken by the court are "disproportionate" and "unfair."

The decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union on Friday came after a motion by the Czech Republic.

It states that further extraction at the coal mine in Turów, south-western Poland, must be immediately suspended pending a final ruling.

The decision has sparked outrage among Poland’s government officials, who argued it could severely undermine the country’s energy security.

(ał)

Source: gov.pl, PAP