EURO 2012 for development of roads and stadiums in Poland

- Granting to Poland the right to host EURO 2012 will contribute to development of road infrastructure and economic promotion of our country - Tomasz Lipiec, the Minister of Sport of the Republic of Poland, said today at the press conference.

The Minister stressed that organisation of such a big event in Poland creates prospects for development of infrastructure and economy.

- This is also a chance for development of airports, roads, hotels and stadiums in Poland – the minister said. He added that several million tourists are likely to come to Poland during EURO 2012.

The UEFA Executive Committee will announce its decision on the selection of the host of the European Championships on 18th April. Polish and Ukrainian ministries of transport and regional development adopted new plans for development of road infrastructure. They assume expansion of the A4 motorway, which will connect Ukraine and Poland with the rest of Europe by 2012 at the latest. EUR 1 billion 320 million will be allocated to this goal.

The Minister of Sport informed that the stadiums planned to be constructed in Warsaw, Wrocław and Gdańsk will be financed mainly from local government resources and from the Physical Culture Development Fund. He added that PLN 20 million and 30 million was allocated so far for modernization of stadiums in Krakow and Poznań respectively.

Jerzy Polaczek, the Minister of Transport, who was present at the conference, said that hosting of EURO 2012 in Poland signifies that in 2012 the following motorways will be in operation: A1 from Gdańsk do the southern border with the Czech Republic, A2 from the Poland-Germany border and A4 from the western border to the eastern border of Poland. Airport infrastructure will be also expanded (8 regional airports).

Polaczek informed that by 2015 Poland will have available over EUR 19 billion 75 million from the European Union budget to be used on development of road and airport infrastructure Another PLN 2 billion for construction and modernisation of stadiums will be allocated from local government budgets and the Physical Culture Development Fund.

PAP, 12th April 2007