Poland records lowest GDP level of countries aspiring to the European Union

In a report published in Brussels by Eurostat, the European Union's (EU) statistical office, comparing 50 regions from 10 candidate countries to become members of the EU from Central and Eastern Europe Poland was graded low. The lowest GDP figure of 24% of the EU average was recorded in Swietokrzyskie Voivodship. As other extremely poor regions Eurostat listed four Polish voivodships: Warminsko-Mazurskie (26%), Podlaskie (25%), Podkarpackie (26%), and Lubelskie (25%). The economic situation in the eastern parts of Poland is comparable to Rumania and Bulgaria. However these estimates are based on data from 1995-1997. To be entitled for aid, poor regions must be below 75% of the EU average GDP which means all of Poland should qualify for EU funds. Only the regions of Prague in Czech Republic and Bratislava in Slovakia are above the EU 75% threshold. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 20, Reuters) E.B.