EU grants funds of euros 32 mln to tighten security around Poland's eastern border

The European Union has agreed to spend an estimated euros 32 million on improving Poland's eastern border. The funds will be spent on making the border more airtight and renovating three border crossings. The EU has pledged euros 15 million to tackle illegal border crossings, including the purchase of new equipment for police and border guards. Another euros 15 million is designated for improving the border crossing in Kuznica Bialostocka, Hrebenne and Malaszewicze-Terespol. The remaining euros 2 million is to be used to aid local border communities. "An initial estimation of expenditure required to bring border control up to European standards is euros 750 million," says Pawel Samecki, Poland's co-ordinator of PHARE programs. However before the money comes to Poland, both sides must sign a financial memorandum and all the formalities will take until the end of the year to complete. (Puls Biznesu, p.3) A.K.