Juncker rejects cutting EU funds to Poland

European Commission president says he is not in a ‘militant mood.’

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said he rejects the idea of cutting EU funds to Poland amid an ongoing spat between Brussels and Warsaw over rule of law concerns and refugee obligations.

Juncker told German broadcaster ARD ahead of his meeting Tuesday with new Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki that he preferred the EU and Poland hold “sensible discussions with each other, without moving into threatening gestures.”

“I am not in the mood to make wild threats,” Juncker said.

Poland is the largest overall beneficiary of EU cash — set to receive about €100 billion in structural, agricultural and other funds during the current seven-year budget ending in 2020. But there is increasing disquiet in parts of Western Europe about sending so much money to a country that violates the EU’s norms.

The Commission decided last month to trigger the so-called Article 7 process against Poland over concerns about the country’s judiciary reforms. The move put Poland on a path that could ultimately lead to the suspension of its EU voting rights.

Juncker said that as Commission president, it would not be appropriate for him to “threateningly intervene in the debate at the moment” and thus he preferred to play a “mediating” role.

“I’m not in a militant mood,” Juncker said. “I would like us and the Polish people to move toward common ground. Talking about the Polish people without talking to the Polish people is the wrong way. I talk with the Polish people.”

Juncker added that “one should not give the impression to the Central European countries that Western Europe is leading the Union on its own,” but also called on Central European countries — including Poland — to stick to the principle of solidarity.

Juncker urged countries like Poland and Hungary to take in refugees as part of the bloc’s refugee redistribution scheme.

“I think the European Union has to breathe with two lungs, the Eastern and the Western one,” Juncker said. “Both have to breathe.”