Poland enjoys the benefits of EU membership

Poland is the largest net beneficiary of the EU in the Union's history, as the country has received EUR2.5 in subsidies per every Euro paid in membership fees. Since May 1 Poland has already received EUR 1.2 billion, which is EUR 750 million more than it has contributed to the Union's budget. The figure is likely to increase to EUR 1.8 billion by the end of the year. This means that only Spain, Greece and Portugal will receive more subsidies from the EU. By 2005 Poland should take the second position in this ranking after Spain, as by that time the country will have received reimbursement of direct subsidies paid to farmers, while the structural funds and cohesion funds should be in full swing. From 2007, the country will be receiving EUR 7-8 billion more than its payments to the EU. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, B1) M.M.