WARSAW, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Poland on Friday signed an agreement with the European Commission under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program which aimed at strengthening defense and security investment in the European Union (EU) members.
Under the agreement, Poland will receive up to 180 billion zloty (50 billion U.S. dollars) in low-interest loans to support investment in national defense and security. Poland is the first of 19 participating countries to formally sign the SAFE agreement.
The signing ceremony was held in Warsaw with the participation of Polish government officials and representatives of the European Commission.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said after the signing ceremony that the agreement marked "a breakthrough moment in the history of Poland and EU." He added that under the agreement, "Poland will be safer in these difficult, highly risky times, in this special place on earth."
The SAFE program provides financial support through preferential loans to enhance defense capabilities across EU. The funds are intended to strengthen national security infrastructure and support joint European defense efforts. ■