The decision was announced by Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz at the Donors’ Conference for Albania in Brussels, which was attended by representatives of EU member states as well as almost 100 delegations of other countries and international financial organizations.
The size of the Polish donation is one of the highest among EU members.
The Polish Foreign Ministry’s website says that the help is an expression of Poland’s friendship and solidarity with Albania, Warsaw’s partner in NATO, as well as proof of Poland’s continued support for the European aspirations of the Western Balkans.
Poland is convinced that further expansion of the European Union is the best instrument to ensure stability, security and prosperity in the Western Balkans and Europe as a whole, the foreign ministry said.
According to the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), some 220,000 people were affected by the earthquake, which hit Albania on November 26 last year. It is estimated that EUR 1 billion will have to be spent on recovery efforts.
(mk/jh)
Source: PAP/gov.pl