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Wajrak, Adam
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3 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
A canal for Polish sailing boats
The border between Poland and Russia runs right through the middle of the Vistula Spit, which separates the Vistula lagoon from the Baltic Sea. Only Russia has a connection from the lagoon to the Baltic. Shortly before its dissolution, the Polish government under Jarosław Kaczyński therefore decided to construct a canal that would give the Polish side direct access to the sea. However the planned canal would run through an EU conservation area. Adam Wajrak comments: "Before we start making absurd comparisons between the Vistula Spit and the Rospuda valley dispute or quarrelling with Brussels, we should pause to reflect on who would use the canal. ... I understand that getting the better of the Russians is a priceless experience but I'm afraid our investment, which would merely allow a couple of sailing boats and ships to sail from Elblag into the Gdansk harbour a couple of times a year, won't impress them. And we would have 400 million złoty [about 109 million euros] less in our pockets."
» full article (external link, Polish)
More from the press review on the subject » Environmental Policy, » Poland
A highway to nowhere?
The European Commission has appealed to the European Court of Justice to put an immediate halt to work on the Augustow bypass in north-east Poland - that section of the "Via Baltica" that is to transect the Rospuda nature reserve. Now Polish Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński has announced that work will continue on those parts of the motorway that are outside the protection zone. Adam Wajrak criticises the decision: "The prime minister is probably just saying this to defuse the situation in Augustow. He has made it clear to the European Commission and the court that the Polish government intends to get its way. The prime minister believes he will win, but what will happen if the government loses - as is highly likely to be the case? Augustow will be left with a road leading nowhere and a six kilometre wide hole in the middle. Then the whole thing will go back to square one, more millions will be spent and Poland will once again be seen as a country that has chosen a road to nowhere."
» full article (external link, Polish)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Environmental Policy, » Poland
The EU takes Poland to court over nature conservation
The European Commission decided on Wednesday, March 21st, to sue the Polish government before the European Court of Justice in a bid to stop construction on the Via Baltica which will pass through the Rospuda valley conservation area. Adam Wajrak welcomes the decision. "I am ashamed that the European Commission is having to take care of nature and road construction in Poland. ... Poland could at least have shown respect for European values and laws. It hasn't even attempted to reach a compromise, even though the European Commission had indicated that it was prepared to talk. The Polish government is acting as if it doesn't care about people or nature. It just wanted to show them who's boss around here. It has opted for a confrontation at the European court. The first victims will be the residents of Augustow [a village on the outskirts of the conservation area], who could now face a long wait for a ring road."
» full article (external link, Polish)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Environmental Policy, » Infrastructure / Travel and Transport, » Poland
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