Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde expressed his gratitude in a press conference on Friday to Polish authorities for deciding out of their own initiative to contribute with USD 200 million (EUR 156 million) to a multinational loan-package to Iceland.
“We are very grateful for this act of friendship,” Haarde said, according to Fréttabladid. “The Polish finance minister told our finance minister today [Friday] that they wanted to do this among other reasons because they had experienced difficulties like this themselves twenty years ago and received assistance much like the one we are in need of.”
“But also because they have an extensive and positive connection with Iceland through the great number of Polish citizens who have worked here,” Haarde added.
The Polish Consul to Iceland Michal Sikorski confirmed that he had participated in raising awareness among Polish authorities of the problem Iceland was facing and recommended they contribute to solving it. It would also be in the interest of the many Polish citizens who live in Iceland.
“It is thought of as an act of solidarity with Iceland,” Sikorski explained.
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Copyright of photo of Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde: Icelandic Photo Agency.
