Gov't to establish Polish National Foundation

Prime Minister Beata Szydło and Infrastructure Minister Dawid Jackiewicz announced on Wednesday the creation of a new entity tasked with promoting Poland abroad, with an annual budget of PLN 100 million. The Polish National Foundation (Polska Fundacja Narodowa) will comprise state-owned companies and will "coordinate activities to reach the synergy effect" and promote a message Poland wants to convey, Jackiewicz said. According to the minister, the body will support the government at the European Commission or at the European Parliament among others, where "a strong objection to actions such as Nord Stream II is needed." The entity should start operating in September. The letter of intent was signed by representatives of state-owned companies: Enea, Energa, GPW, Grupa Azoty, Grupa Lotos, KGHM, PGE, PGNiG, PGZ, Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych, PHN, PKN Orlen, PKP, PKO BP, PZU, Tauron, and Totalizator Sportowy.