Polish state does not finance WYD – official

21-07-2016
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The Polish state neither organises the forthcoming World Youth Day in Poland nor finances the event, head of the PM’s Office Beata Kempa said in the Sejm (lower house) on Thursday.

Kempa admitted that safety measures applied during WYD as well as health services offered to pilgrims would be financed by the state budget.

Kempa made the statement following a question by a Civic Platform (PO) MP.

„This is the result of the state’s obligation to fulfil fundamental duties towards citizens, namely the protection of their life and health,” Kempa said, adding that both she and the finance minister had been closely supervising all the spending.

Kempa is the chairwoman of the government team for the pope’s visit to Poland and for supporting efforts to organise WYD.

Kempa confirmed that a Polish Pavilion would open on July 25 on the Pilgrims’ Route near Wawel Castle in Krakow as part of a Poland Welcomes project.

The Polish Pavilion is a joint promotional project undertaken by public institutions and their strategic partners, and coordinated by the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency (PAIiIZ). It will be open during WYD until July 31.

World Youth Day 2016 will take place in and around Krakow on July 26-31. (PAP)

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