NEWS
MAY 14-20, 2012
Foreign affairs
EU leaders threaten to boycott Euro 2012 games in Ukraine
Ukraine has suffered a series of embarrassing snubs just weeks ahead of the country’s joint-hosting of the high-profile UEFA European Football Championship this June. Numerous European leaders have threatened to boycott Euro 2012 soccer matches in Ukraine unless authorities there free jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko. Ms Tymoshenko, a former prime minister, was sentenced to seven years in prison in October 2011 for abuse of power while she was in office when she signed a natural-gas agreement with Russia in 2009. Most Western observers have described the sentence as being politically motivated. Ms Tymoshenko went on hunger strike from April 20 to May 8, after she was allegedly beaten by her jailers. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said recently that along with her cabinet, she would not attend any games in the country unless the regime headed by President Viktor Yanukovych improves the country’s human rights situation. European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding are also set to boycott the tournament in Ukraine.
Own goal?
Former PM Yulia Tymoshenko was sentenced to seven years in prison
Yalta off Ukraine was also forced last week to cancel a summit of Central European leaders that had been due to take place in Yalta on May 11-12 because only four presidents, Poland’s Bronis∏aw Komorowski included, were set to participate. Fourteen leaders refused to attend, mainly in response to the allegedly harsh treatment of Ms Tymoshenko and human rights issues related to the treatment of other prisoners. David Ingham, Gareth Price
Many EU leaders won’t be at games in Ukraine (pictured: Metalist Stadium in Kharkov)
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Polish tech exports flourishing The value of Polish IT companies’ foreign sales amounted to approximately z∏.5.5 billion last year, up 10% y/y, Rzeczpospolita reported, citing a report by research firm DiS. “I believe we’ll be able to maintain double-digit growth in exports in 2012,” said Andrzej Dy˝ewski, CEO of DiS. According to data from the company’s report, Polish IT companies mainly export computers and computer components, as well as electronics and telecoms equipment.
Firms to get FDI support
COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
In Poland Jaros∏aw Kaczyƒski, the leader of main opposition party Law and Justice (PiS), has gone a step further by
declaring that the final should be moved to Warsaw from Kiev. “Flagrant human rights violations in Ukraine is the effect of disadvantageous political changes we are observing there, and proof of Ukraine’s growing dependence on Russia,” Mr Kaczyƒski wrote on his blog. Mr Kaczyƒski had earlier suggested that Ukraine should be stripped of its right to host the tournament. Both President Bronis∏aw Komorowski and Prime Minister Donald Tusk have, however, spoken against doing anything that could jeopardize the tournament. Mr Tusk told journalists that Mr Kaczyƒski’s statements amount to an “own goal” for Poland. Mr Komrowski, however, has urged Ukraine to scrap laws that allow politicians to be jailed for political decisions they make in office. He said that calls for a boycott “would not have happened if outdated regulations that contradict European standards by allowing prison sentencing for political decisions were phased out in time.”
SHUTTERSTOCK
The country was also forced to cancel a Central Europe summit after numerous leaders refused to attend
www.wbj.pl
According to PwC, the value of direct foreign investments made by Polish companies exceeded $7 billion last year. Now, Polish firms that are trying to enter developing markets will get government backing, in the form of promotional activity and diplomatic support, Parkiet reported. ●