Tusk made the announcement at a summit of EU leaders in Brussels on Friday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
The Polish prime minister met with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, who said at a joint news conference that Brussels would "transfer to Poland EUR 5 billion in pre-financing before the end of the year."
She commended the new Polish government for taking the initiative to restore the rule of law in the country, including by taking steps to join the EU's European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).
Von der Leyen stated the EUR 5 billion to be released this year would help Poland "modernise" and "decarbonise" its energy systems, adding that the fight against climate change was the "most essential priority" and that the EU needed "Poland on board."
She said she looked forward to "working closely together" with Warsaw on addressing the "milestones on judicial independence" so that Brussels could then "proceed with the first payment" of recovery funds for Poland.
Von der Leyen wished Tusk and his government "full success" and declared that the European Commission, the executive arm of the 27-nation European Union, "stands by your side."
Tusk said that securing the first tranche of EU cash had been possible thanks to "everyone who never gave up in their efforts to ensure the rule of law in Poland."
The prime minister paid tribute to "everyone who allowed our homeland to return to the rule of law."
He also thanked von der Leyen for being a "loyal and kind ally of Poland."
Tusk pledged his government would seek to spend the EUR 5 billion from EU "quickly and wisely" to boost Poland's energy sovereignty.
EU recovery funds for Poland
Poland is entitled to EUR 59.8 billion from the EU's post-pandemic recovery fund, including EUR 34.5 billion in loans and EUR 25.3 billion in grants, according to officials.
The funds have been withheld due to a dispute between Warsaw and Brussels over the rule of law, including judicial independence, under Poland's previous conservative government, the PAP news agency reported.
(pm/gs)
Source: PAP, Polsat News
