Warsaw warned of a deepening „crisis” in ties after Russia on Friday announced the expulsion of diplomats from Poland, Sweden and Germany, accusing them of taking part in illegal protests against the jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. The foreign ministry in Warsaw responded by summoning the Russian ambassador, and said that the Polish diplomat designated as persona non grata had been performing official duties in keeping with her diplomatic status.
Poland expects the Russian authorities „to reverse this erroneous decision. Otherwise, Poland reserves the option of taking appropriate steps” the foreign ministry in Warsaw said in a statement. It added that the decision by Moscow would contribute to the further deepening of the crisis in bilateral relations between the countries.
Source – Polskie Radio
Poland to reopen hotels, theatres and ski slopes next week
Poland will reopen hotels, entertainment venues and outdoor sports areas including ski slopes from the end of next week, the country’s prime minister announced on Friday, amid signs of a letup in the spread of the coronavirus. Hotels, cinemas, theatres and outdoor sports facilities such as tennis courts, but also swimming pools, will be allowed to reopen to the public and fill up to half capacity from next Friday, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told a virtual news conference. He said the curbs were being lifted conditionally for two weeks, after which time officials would evaluate their effect on the number of COVID-19 infections and deaths.
Source – Polskie Radio
Polish PM says Polish 2021 GDP to grow at least 4%
Poland’s economy will expand by no less than 4 percent this year, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has predicted. Speaking in a media interview on Wednesday, Morawiecki said Poland would not only avoid a recession this year, but enjoy a strong economic recovery. Poland’s President Andrzej Duda last week signed the country’s budget for 2021, which expects the economy to grow 4 percent, with inflation targeted at 1.8 percent. Morawiecki said on Wednesday that the „shallowness of the recession” last year surprised many experts and was a good sign for 2021.
Source – Polskie Radio
Former vice president of the Gdańsk housing co-operative charged with insurance fraud
And finally, the former vice president of the largest housing co-operative in Gdańsk, has been charged with insurance fraud to the value of PLN 226 thousand by local prosecutors. The man had been caught on tape ordering the infliction of damage to staircases in a block of flights, in order to claim insurance money and also of trying to hide the presence of asbestos in a kindergarten at another block of flats. Yesterday, a court in Gdańsk refused the prosecutors’ request to have the former SM Moren boss arrested while files are prepared against him. The prosecutor’s office has announced that it will appeal against the decision.
Source – trojmiasto.pl
Weather
Today will be a cold and cloudy day with sunny spells in a gentle breeze. Temperatures will reach -4 degrees centigrade (25 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day, dropping to -13 degrees overnight. Sunday will remain cloudy and cold with a moderate breeze and temperatures of -8 degrees centigrade during the day and -10 degrees overnight.
Martin Caren/mw
