Higher rating for Poland saves bulls on the Warsaw Stock Exchange

Warsaw (Puls Biznesu) – After three days of losses, Warsaw indices rose to new records on two news.

Standard & Poor’s raised its rating for Poland which boosted the currency, bond and stock markets. In addition, the USA fourth GDP data were revised up. WIG20 gained 2 percent to 3,511.06 points and is just 38.27 points below its all-time record. WIG rose to its new record of 57,283.19 points. sWIG80 exceeded the 17,000 level for the first time in history. mWIG40 exceeded 4,700 points. Shares worth PLN 2.3 billion changed hands, including only PLN 862m generated by blue chips.

Banks paced the advances. WIG-Bank, their index added 2.6 percent. BRE Bank rose 3.4 percent to PLN 467. PKO BP grew 3.3 percent while shares worth PLN 96m changed hands. MOL fuel company fell 0.7 percent to PLN 324.8. PGNiG gas monopoly was one of two blue chips which did not gain on Thursday. The stock ended unchanged at PLN 4.22.
Source:pulsbiznesu.pl

European Commission cuts CO2 emission caps of Poland, Czech Republic

The European Commission directed Poland and the Czech Republic to cut down their proposed limits on carbon emissions for 2008- 2012, saying strict limits are needed to be set and followed in order for the bloc's plans in this regard to be successful.

The Commission cut Poland's proposed CO2 emission cap by 26.7 per cent and the Czech's by 14.8 per cent. It set Poland's cap at 208.5 million tons per year during 2008-2012, while the Czech Republic's limit has been set at 86.8 million tons per year.

These are the latest measures adopted by the bloc in enforcing its emissions trading scheme intended to meet the targets set under the Kyoto Protocol.
Environment commissioner Stavros Dimas said the decisions taken are of vital importance to create the necessary scarcity in the European carbon market and to make the Emissions Trading Scheme a successful weapon for fighting climate change.

The Czech Republic has threatened to seek legal remedies against the decision. An official spokesperson said in Prague the decision to cut the cap did not take into account the economic growth achieved. He said the cut will hurt the country's economy and claimed the country was already meeting its Kyoto goals.

Poland said the cut will affect its economic development and energy security.

The Commission had cut down almost all the cap proposals submitted so far by the members of the bloc as 2005 figures showed that the national governments have allotted excess number of permits leading to a crash in carbon prices in 2006. Proposals from Britain, France and Slovenia have not been rejected by the Commission.

Under the EU emissions trading scheme, limits are set on the amount of CO2 that can be emitted by big factories. Companies that exceed their limits can buy permits from those whose emissions are below the limits.

At 208.5 million tons per year, the Polish plan is the third-largest assessed so far, after Germany and the U.K., a Commission spokesperson said.

Bulgaria is the only remaining country in the bloc yet to submit its plan.
Source: By Steve Walters, earthtimes.org

Poland's AmRest signs preliminary deal with Starbucks

AmRest restaurant group's Polish branch has signed a preliminary agreement to open Starbucks Corp. coffeehouse stores in central Europe, AmRest said.

"We plan to close our talks in the second quarter of this year," and the first shops could be opened in Poland within 10 months after any final agreement is reached, spokesman Mateusz Sielecki told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Sielecki refused to estimate the overall value of the plan, but said the company hopes to earn at least $50 million annually from Starbucks coffee shops.

U.S.-based Starbucks confirmed it had signed a nonbinding preliminary deal to explore business opportunities with AmRest in Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

In a statement, spokeswoman Alisa Martinez said the world's largest specialty coffee seller was "encouraged about the opportunities" for expansion to new European countries.

Starbucks has more than 13,000 locations worldwide, including more than 1,000 total stores in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The company has a long-term global of 40,000 stores, with half of those outside the United States.

AmRest, registered in the Netherlands but based in Wroclaw, Poland, runs more than 200 restaurants in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.

It holds local franchises for U.S.-based Yum! Corp. brands such as KFC and Pizza Hut, and recently was awarded development rights to Poland for Burger King Corp.

Source: iht.com

POLAND TO LEGALIZE ONLINE GAMBLING - Online Poker News

The Warsaw Voice had some very good news for online gamblers and online gambling firms, advising them that following the European Court of Justice in the Placanica case the Poland government is preparing to license online gambling.

According to online-casinos.com news
The European Court of Justice has upheld regulations liberalising online gambling by handing down a ruling favourable to British bookmakers who had been banned from operating in Italy. Consequently, the Polish government is planning to introduce online gambling regulations similar to those in Italy, the newspaper claims.

"National regulations that prohibit the acceptance of bets unless one has a license issued by the relevant member state restrict the freedom of services," said the court in substantiating its decision. The court ruled that an operator who holds a license issued in one EU member state has the right to provide similar services throughout the European Union. The court's ruling concerns three bookmakers who had accepted bets in Italy on behalf of British-based firm Stanley International Betting (SIB). SIB had no license to conduct bookmaking business in Italy.

In Poland, a dozen or so foreign online bookmakers operate without any regulations. The Ministry of Finance is currently working to amend the gambling law, the Warsaw Voice reports.

Poland internet gambling and online poker market, will maybe soon be open for online gambling firms like WILLIAM HILL (WMH.L), PARTYGAMING (PRTY.L), CRYPTOLOGIC (CRYP), PLAYTECH (PTEC.L) , 888 HOLDINGS (888.L).

Source: onlinecasino.org

Tailor Made Fish Farms Plans for Poland Agreement

Nick Arena, Managing Director of Tailor Made Fish Farms Pty, Ltd., arrived in Poland March 27th, 2007. The purpose of Mr. Arena's visit is to complete a contract with a Polish entrepreneur for the construction of a 110,000-lb. fish producing facility. After completing his business in Poland, Mr. Arena will continue on to Sri Lanka and Malaysia to negotiate contracts for the construction of a 500,000-ton fish producing facility in those countries. Mr. Arena will return to Sydney, Australia on April 7th.

For more information, keep posted on the corporate website at www.tailoraquaponicsinc.com or contact the company directly at 702-493-7972.

About Tailor AquaPonics Worldwide:

Tailor AquaPonics Worldwide, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: TQWI) owns a controlling interest in the international growth and development rights to Tailor Made Fish Farms, a company that has developed a technology-driven, easy to operate, land-based modular fish production system. This cutting-edge system is both sustainable and environmentally responsible in keeping with the spirit of maintaining an environmentally safe and friendly solution while producing high volumes of superior and healthier farmed fish. This allows an overwhelming production of 'year-round' premium quality fish and vegetables, achieved through compact and controlled production areas using much less water than conventional methods. Our technique conserves water, is environmentally responsible, provides fresh health products and two crops from a single water uptake.

Source: marketwire.com

Ericsson Delivers IMS to Poland

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) will provide IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) to leading Polish operator Telekomunikacja Polska (TP), paving the way for the latest multimedia communication services for consumers and enterprises alike.

Under a frame agreement, the first for IMS in Poland, Ericsson will integrate the solution into TP's network and provide support and maintenance until the end of the year.

With Ericsson IMS, Telekomunikacja Polska will be able to deliver enriched multimedia services, such as multimedia telephony, presence, instant messaging and IP centrex services, via either fixed or mobile broadband access.

IMS is an important step towards fixed-mobile convergence. The international standards-based technology is highly scalable, takes care of connection control, and ensures service quality, and network and service security. IMS also allows network operators and service providers to implement new revenue-generating multimedia services quickly and cost effectively.

Lars E. Svensson, President of Ericsson Poland, says: "Broadband access to the internet is one of the strategic paths of telecommunication development both for suppliers and operators. We are pleased to be a partner to Telekomunikacja Polska and work with it to provide cutting-edge solutions for its customers."

Source:ightreading.com

Poland interested in training its air force pilots in Israel

Poland is interested in training its air force pilots in Israel, the country's defense minister said this week. Aleksander Marek Szczyglo was here this week to sign an expanded military cooperation agreement with Israel.

"It's a practical agreement," Szczyglo stressed in an interview to Haaretz.

In 1994, after diplomatic relations were renewed between Israel and Poland, the countries signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation. Szczyglo noted that the Polish Air Force had purchased F-16 fighter aircraft from the United States and was interested in training its pilots in Israel, where they could take advantage of the experience and reputation of the Israel Air Force.
Another area of cooperation between the countries is the fight against terrorism. "Israel has much experience in fighting terror and our army and security forces are interested in holding joint training in various areas including the war against terror," Szczyglo said.

Szczyglo was appointed defense minister last month. He previously served as chief of staff to Poland's president, a ministerial-level position. This is his second visit to Israel. His first was a few months ago, with President Lech Kaczynski.

According to Szczyglo, bilateral relations are excellent in all areas. "In the past several years, Poland has represented and expressed Israeli interests without reservation in the European Union, and that is not something that can be taken for granted," he said.

In recent years, Rafael Armament Development Authority won two military procurement contracts worth about $3.5 million from Poland. In 2003, it signed a contract to provide Spike anti-tank missiles, part of the Spike family of missiles. In 2005, a second contract was signed, for the sale of remote controlled weapons stations and day/night vision systems.

In return, as part of reciprocal purchase agreements between the countries, Poland sold Israel various products for its military and civilian industries. "We are willing to consider purchasing additional military equipment and weapons from Israel if they meet NATO standards," Szczyglo said.

Another area in which Israel and Poland cooperate closely is intelligence. When he was asked whether Poland was aiding Israel in this area, in light of fears about Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions, the Polish defense minister said: "This is something we don't need to discuss."

Szczyglo refused to express an opinion on U.S. intentions to deploy missile defense systems on Polish (and Czech) territory, saying only, "Russia knows very well that these systems are aimed not against it but rather against missile threats from other countries. We want to have good relations with Russia. In my opinion, the Russian opposition to the deployment of these defensive systems is rooted in Russian domestic politics and the expectation of elections in the country next year, including presidential elections," Szczyglo said.
Source: By Yossi Melman, haaretz.com

Poland starts considering U.S. request to host missile defense base

Poland's National Security Council on Tuesday started considering a U.S. proposal to build part of a missile defense system in the country, but postponed a decision on whether NATO should be involved in the process.

The council's head, Wladyslaw Stasiak, said the panel would convene again soon to produce recommendations for the government. He did not give a date.

Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, a council member, said the U.S. request must be examined carefully "because it has very serious implications for ... the security of Europe and of Poland, not only of the U.S."

He also noted hosting a site would likely further strengthen ties with Washington.

"If the missile defense site is placed in Poland, relations will be even stronger," he said. "From Poland's point of view, this would be a better situation."

The National Security Council is a 12-member advisory body that includes parliament speakers and key government ministers.

The U.S. has proposed establishing missile defense sites in Poland and the neighboring Czech Republic — angering Russia, whose leaders have warned the plan could spark a new arms race.

Kaczynski said that if Moscow wants to "talk with us on the subject, we will talk."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country holds the rotating European Union presidency, has appealed for dialogue and suggested that the U.S. should also include other allies by holding discussions through NATO.

Although the council made no decision on possible NATO involvement, Kaczynski said he personally sees missile defense as a "bilateral" issue.

That echoed remarks made by President Lech Kaczynski, his twin brother, who said Saturday that "I feel these are bilateral issues between Poland and the United States."

Ahead of the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Andrzej Lepper, head of the junior coalition Self-Defense party, said his party would not support hosting the missile defense site unless it knows all the details and is convinced the placement would increase Poland's security.

The final decision on whether to host the missile system will rest with parliament, which is expected to vote only after months of negotiations between Warsaw and Washington.

"We should definitely act not with haste, but with resolution," the prime minister said. Sometimes, he said, "a chance disappears if you don't extend a hand."

Source:iht.com

EU tells Poland, Czech Republic to cut emissions quotas

The European Commission on Monday told Poland and the Czech Republic to slash greenhouse gas emissions quotas on their energy intensive industries but accepted French plans.

The European Union's executive arm said that it could accept the Czech and Polish plans to allocate tradeable emissions quotas only if they cut their proposed cap for the 2008-2012 period.

The quotas are the cornerstone of the EU's innovative emissions trading system, under which industrial polluters can buy and sell unused credits.

The system is supposed to help the EU cut carbon emissions under the Kyoto Protocol, but its credibility has taken a beating recently because member states have allotted more permits to pollute than industrial plants need.

The commission said that Poland's carbon dioxide quotas should not exceed 208.5 million tonnes, 26.7 percent lower than Warsaw has proposed, while the Czech Republic was told that its CO2 quotas should not exceed 86.8 million tonnes, 14.8 percent lower proposed.

The commission accepted France's CO2 quota capping emissions allowances at 132.8 million tonnes, but only after Paris withdrew an original plan for 155.6 million tonnes.

The commission has already approved 17 member states' national allocation plans for the 2008-2012 trading period, mostly conditional upon reductions.

Source:eubusiness.com

Sanjay Dube moves to Unilever as chairman for Poland, the Baltics

Sanjay Dube, Hindustan Lever’s executive director (sales and con-sumer development), is moving to head Unilever’s business in the Po-land region. He will join Unilever as the chairman for Poland and the Baltics.

When contacted, an HLL spokesperson confirmed the develop-ment. It is, however, not yet clear as to who would replace Mr Dube. The company declined to comment on his replacement. This is the second big movement at HLL within a month.

Last month, Dalip Sehgal, the executive director in charge of the new ventures division, headed for a new strategic assignment in the Unilever global foods division in London. This followed the FMCG major’s decision to disband its new venture division, which led to an addi-tional responsibility of HLL’s Project Shakti for Mr Dube.

Mr Dube will head Unilever Polska at an interesting time when the global parent has intensified its focus in the region, especially in the food business. Unilever, which seeks to invest more in Po-land, is building a new research and development centre, which will be specialised in ready soups.

This, say industry experts, will present a new challenge for Mr Dube, who has spent 14 years in a market where Unilever has laid lukewarm focus on foods. Unilever is a leader in many of Poland’s FMCG markets, with a presence in products like ice cream (Algida), tea (Lipton, Saga), and margarines (Rama, Flora).

Mr Dube who was inducted in HLL’s management committee in March last year, joined the company as a direct recruit. He has worked in various sales and marketing assignments, and his mar-keting experience spans across various categories including ex-ports, personal products and fabric wash.

He has also had key stints as category head of mass markets and head (market and consumer development of detergents). He was appointed vice-president, sales and customer development (HPC), in May 2004 and was finally elevated as the executive director in 2006.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

Poland is top property hotspot

Poland was the top property investment hot spot in the first quarter of 2007, according to an investment tracker.

Property investment specialist Assetz - which charts house price growth in Britain and overseas on a quarterly basis - said investors in the Polish property market had enjoyed a massive 165 percent total return on cash invested in the first three months of the year.

That was underpinned by capital growth of 33 per cent, and Assetz said economic growth in some of the newer European Union members would continue to drive property prices higher.

Stuart Law, managing director of Assetz, said: "Poland looks set to lead the pack of emerging markets this year, with strong capital growth and excellent local demand, as well as foreign investment.

"Warsaw's property prices remain among the lowest in Europe and the introduction of major industry to the city is attracting an increasingly young and wealthy population.

"I expect to see continued strong growth and a flourishing rental market."

Germany showed the lowest returns during the past three months, but Assetz said that after 15 years of stagnation the Berlin property market was finally starting to stir as big business arrived, attracted by low start-up costs and cheaper office space than in Munich and Frankfurt.

Capital price growth rose to 0.6 per cent in February from 0.2 per cent in November, after years of decline, the figures showed.

British buy-to-let, Bulgaria and France gave the next highest returns on cash invested - between around 50 and 60 per cent - in the first quarter.

However, Assetz said the rental market in Bulgaria remained "fairly risky", with mortgage interest rates having risen to 6.75 per cent from 6.5 per cent and average yields of just five per cent.

Most of the recent growth had been in peripheral locations where prices are catching up with the tourist hot spots, it said.

But while country-wide capital growth for 2006 came in at 17.3 per cent, more popular locations have not fared as well: The capital Sofia and ski-resort Bansko district saw property price growth of just 9.8 per cent and 5.3 per cent respectively.

Mr Law said those who took a long-term view could still do well in Bulgaria if they accepted short-term income losses.

"Bulgaria, South Africa and Spain are likely to face a slowing in the rate of growth during the next few months, but are still a long way off from falls in house values," he said.

Investors in the US should also take a long-term view, he said, on the back of "shaky" mortgage activity and a weak dollar.

Capital growth has dropped to 7.7 per cent from 10.1 per cent over the past three months and Law said better buying opportunities were likely to arise in the States over the next year or so, as the market was likely to fall further.

The tracker assesses current costs, projected returns and risks associated with investing in property in the following countries: France, Spain, Southern Cyprus, Florida, Bulgaria, Portugal, Poland, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Northern Cyprus, South Africa, UK student accommodation and UK buy-to-let.

Source: By Jennifer Hill, Reuters, timesofmalta.com

Czech Republic to Appeal Emissions Cuts

The Czech Republic said Monday it would appeal cuts the European Commission made to how much carbon dioxide it can release from 2008 to 2012, making it the second EU nation after Slovakia to threaten court action over the emissions plan.

The European Union's executive arm reduced the Czech yearly limit by 14.8 percent below what Prague had asked for. At 86.8 million metric tons a year, this is still above actual 2005 emissions.

EU regulators made even deeper cuts to the Polish proposed maximum _ by more than a quarter _ but accepted France's proposed cap after Paris withdrew earlier plans for a higher limit.

The EU has said repeatedly that strict limits are needed for the emission permit program to work and create financial incentives for polluters that force them to release less greenhouse gas.

But the Czech trade ministry said the decision to cut its emissions cap did not take into account rapid economic growth.

"I'll inform the government Wednesday and one of my proposals will be to lodge a suit against the Commission's decision," Trade Minister Martin Riman said in a statement.

EU spokeswoman Barbara Helfferich had no comment. The Commission says the caps are fixed, meaning the only option the Czechs and Slovaks have is take regulators before the EU's court _ a process that could take many months.

Poland said it would analyze the EU decision before deciding on an appeal.

Last week, Warsaw said it needed a higher limit because its own forecast for growth is well above the EU's _ a yearly average of 6 percent from 2008-2012, compared to the EU's 4.5 percent maximum forecast for Poland. It also said it was unfair for the EU to use 2005, a warmer-than-average year, to calculate the cap.

The EU said Poland should aim for 208.5 million metric tons, 26.7 percent below what Warsaw wanted. The cap is also above Poland's actual 2005 emissions.

Poland is the EU's third-largest carbon polluter as it relies on its own plentiful supplies of cheap coal to generate almost all of its power. It had to cut output at its largest plant last year to meet the CO2 emissions target.

Helfferich told reporters earlier that the limit Poland had asked for was "way above" real releases. She rejected Polish complaints that this would hurt Poland's growth _ currently double the EU average _ saying officials took growth forecasts into account.

The EU will allow the country to release an extra 6.3 million tons compared to 2005.

Poland's CO2 emissions are rising as the economy speeds up. Preliminary estimates show that emissions from oil refineries and cement plants alone rose 20 percent on the previous year.

The EU has said repeatedly that strict limits are needed for the emission permit trading program to work and create financial incentives for polluters that force them to release less greenhouse gas.

The first stage of the emissions trading plan _ from 2005 to 2007 _ set many national limits far above real releases, meaning there was no real push for polluters to change their ways.

The Commission is determined to make trading work in the second round and has fixed mandatory limits far lower than many countries asked for.

For France, it said it would approve its suggested cap of 132.8 million tons once the government provides more information on new entrants to the program. Although France is the EU's third-largest economy, it is only the fifth major polluter because it relies on low-carbon nuclear power to generate most of its electricity.

The European Union has promised to reduce greenhouse gas releases by 8 percent below 1990 levels by 2012 under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

Source:By AOIFE WHITE AP Business Writer, chron.com

Poland to discuss missile defense forum

BERLIN - Poland‘s National Security Council will convene Monday to consider a suggestion from German Chancellor Angela Merkel that NATO is the best forum for discussing U.S. plans for a missile defense system based in eastern Europe.

"In two days the national Polish security board will convene and it will make a decision on this issue, but I won‘t deny that I feel these are bilateral issues between Poland the United States," Kaczynski said on the sidelines of summit in Berlin marking the EU‘s 50th anniversary

The U.S. is working on a plan that would install missile defense sites located in Poland and the Czech Republic and has been talking with those countries directly about how to proceed.

U.S. officials say the missile defense is aimed at protection from Iran , which it suspects of covertly trying to produce nuclear weapons. There are fears that Iran could tip a long-range missile with a nuclear warhead as early as 2015. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and geared solely toward producing electricity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said last month that he does not trust U.S. claims that the missile defense is aimed to counter a potential threat from Iran, and warned of countermeasures. The head of Russia‘s missile forces said later that his forces would be capable of targeting the missile defense sites in both nations if the country‘s leadership decided to do so.

By MELISSA EDDY, Associated Press Writer Sun Mar 25, 4:58 AM ET

BERLIN - Poland‘s National Security Council will convene Monday to consider a suggestion from German Chancellor Angela Merkel that NATO is the best forum for discussing U.S. plans for a missile defense system based in eastern Europe.

"In two days the national Polish security board will convene and it will make a decision on this issue, but I won‘t deny that I feel these are bilateral issues between Poland the United States," Kaczynski said on the sidelines of summit in Berlin marking the EU‘s 50th anniversary

The U.S. is working on a plan that would install missile defense sites located in Poland and the Czech Republic and has been talking with those countries directly about how to proceed.

U.S. officials say the missile defense is aimed at protection from Iran , which it suspects of covertly trying to produce nuclear weapons. There are fears that Iran could tip a long-range missile with a nuclear warhead as early as 2015. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and geared solely toward producing electricity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said last month that he does not trust U.S. claims that the missile defense is aimed to counter a potential threat from Iran, and warned of countermeasures. The head of Russia‘s missile forces said later that his forces would be capable of targeting the missile defense sites in both nations if the country‘s leadership decided to do so.

Source: By MELISSA EDDY, onelocalnews.com

Malysz wins World Cup season title

PLANICA, Slovenia (AP) - Adam Malysz won the World Cup ski jumping season title Sunday with his third straight large-hill victory after only a single leap.

Snow and drizzle prompted the cancellation of the second jump. Malysz, of Poland, jumped 220 metres in his first run, which was enough to secure him his fourth career overall title.

It was Malysz's ninth season victory and 38th career title.

Simon Amman of Switzerland came in second, jumping 217.5 metres, while Martin Koch of Austria took third, jumping a metre less than Amman.

Norway's Anders Jacobsen, who had a small chance of winning the overall title, came in seventh.

Malysz had never won at Planica coming into the final events on the World Cup circuit's largest hill. But this time he won all three.

Malysz also won the season titles in 2001-2003.

Source:slam.canoe.ca

Poland to discuss missile defense forum

BERLIN - Poland's National Security Council will convene Monday to consider a suggestion from German Chancellor Angela Merkel that NATO is the best forum for discussing U.S. plans for a missile defense system based in eastern Europe.

Yet Polish President Lech Kaczynski suggested Saturday that he believes the issue should be decided bilaterally between Washington and Warsaw, not within NATO.

"In two days the national Polish security board will convene and it will make a decision on this issue, but I won't deny that I feel these are bilateral issues between Poland the United States," Kaczynski said on the sidelines of summit in Berlin marking the EU's 50th anniversary

The council consists of Kaczynski and his twin brother, Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, parliament speakers and key government ministers.

The U.S. is working on a plan that would install missile defense sites located in Poland and the Czech Republic and has been talking with those countries directly about how to proceed.

Britain and Denmark are already cooperating with the American plan by upgrading radar sites in northern England and Greenland.

U.S. officials say the missile defense is aimed at protection from Iran, which it suspects of covertly trying to produce nuclear weapons. There are fears that Iran could tip a long-range missile with a nuclear warhead as early as 2015. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and geared solely toward producing electricity.

The missile defense plans have angered Russian officials, who say they could trigger an arms race.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said last month that he does not trust U.S. claims that the missile defense is aimed to counter a potential threat from Iran, and warned of countermeasures. The head of Russia's missile forces said later that his forces would be capable of targeting the missile defense sites in both nations if the country's leadership decided to do so.

German Chancellor Merkel, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, has suggested that the U.S. should also include other allies by holding discussions through NATO. Merkel pressed that case during a recent visit to Poland, and Kaczynski soon after that said he would relay the suggestions to the National Security Council.

Source:sanluisobispo.com

Poland 5 Azerbaijan 0

Poland stormed to the top of Group A with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over lowly Azerbaijan.

The hosts raced into a three-goal lead after just 30 minutes as Jacek Bak, Dariusz Dudka and Wojciech Lobodzinski all netted before Jacek Krzynowek and Przemyslaw Kazmierczak sealed the three points after the interval.

The defeat leaves Azerbaijan rooted to the bottom of the group, with only a 1-1 draw against Kazakhstan back in September to show for their efforts, while Poland moved two points clear of Finland, who did not play this weekend.

Buoyed by the news that rivals Serbia had suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Kazakhstan earlier in the day, Poland started in explosive fashion and were ahead after just three minutes.

Lukasz Gargula whipped in a teasing free-kick from the right channel after Michal Zewlakow had been hauled down and Bak rose highest to thump a powerful header past Jahangir Hasanzade from six yards.

And just three minutes later Poland doubled their advantage with an almost carbon copy of their opening goal.

Zewlakow's whipped cross eluded the Azerbaijan defenders and the unmarked Dudka arrowed a neat header into Hasanzade's top corner to effectively end the contest.

Poland were rampant in the opening stages and they threatened again soon after as Radoslaw Matusiak's dipping strike from 20 yards flew narrowly over Hasanzade's crossbar.

Just after the half-hour mark and Poland scored the third goal that their enterprising play deserved.

After seeing off the attention of his marker, Gargula sent a deep cross into the area that Lobodzinski met with a header from six yards that nestled into the bottom right-hand corner.

The hosts started the second period in a similar fashion to the first, but they had to wait until the 58th minute to net their fourth.

Celtic striker Maciej Zurawski did well to feed a neat ball into the path of Krzynowek and he coolly slotted home past the onrushing Hasanzade.

And Poland wrapped up the convincing victory seven minutes from time as Kazmierczak headed home Gargula's inviting cross.

Poland (3) 5 Azerbaijan (0) 0

Poland Boruc, Wasilewski, Dudka, Bak, Zewlakow, Lobodzinski,Gargula, Lewandowski, Krzynowek (Jelen 79), Zurawski,Matusiak (Kazmierczak 69).

Subs Not Used: Kowalewski, Kokoszka, Baszczynski, Murawski,

Sobolewski.

Goals: Bak 3, Dudka 6, Lobodzinski 34, Krzynowek 58,

Kazmierczak 84.

Azerbaijan Hasanzade, Karimov, Abbasov, Pereira, Bahshiev,Gurbanov, Imamaliev (Agakishiev 65), Kerimov (Javadov 67),Chertoganov, Gomes (Ladaga 62), Subashic.

Subs Not Used: Veliyev, Junisoglu, Guliyev, Nadyrov.

Booked: Kerimov, Gurbanov, Javadov.

Att: 12,000

Ref: Kristinn Jakobsson (Iceland).

Source:sportinglife.com

Poland's unemployment rate down to 14.9 percent at end of February

Poland's unemployment rate inched down to 14.9 percent in February, the nation's Statistical Office said Friday, a continuing tendency that has given a boost to the conservative government of Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski.

The drop is significant, compared with 15.1 percent in January and 18 percent jobless rate for the same month in 2006, and even lower than preliminary figures had predicted.

Still, some 2.33 million people are registered as jobless in this nation of 38 million, state-run Statistical Office said. Preliminary figures had predicted a jobless rate of 15 percent for the month.

Poland's unemployment rate has gradually declined since reaching a post-communist peak of 20.7 percent in February 2003, but it remains the highest in the expanded 27-nation EU.

The fall in unemployment is the result of strong economic growth of nearly 6 percent in this country that joined the EU in 2004. But some government critics attribute the fall in the jobless rate to mass emigration of Poles to better paid jobs in Western Europe.

Source:iht.com

Payment Cards In Poland Is An Invaluable Guide To One Of Eastern Europes Quickest Growing Payment Card Markets

DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c52543) has announced the addition of “Payment Cards in Poland 2007” to their offering.

Payment Cards in Poland is an invaluable guide to one of Eastern Europes quickest growing payment card markets. Created using a combination of secondary and primary research, this report provides statistics on market size, market shares and card acceptance. It provides an overview of regulation, competitor activities and product innovation. It concludes with market forecasts and a SWOT analysis.

Scope of this title:

The focus of the report is on consumer payment cards, as opposed to commercial products Data and analysis provided on debit cards, credit cards and deferred debit and charge cards. The report parameters extend to issuance only. Merchant acquiring and card processing are not covered. Historic market data is presented from 2001 to 2005, with forecast data presented to 2010. Competitor market shares are presented to 2005.

Highlights of this title:

The Polish payment card market is small but growing quickly. Each year from 2001 to 2005, growth in card numbers has been, on average, 10.2 per cent, reaching 18.5 million cards in 2005. 81 per cent of these cards were pay now products. Polish consumers primarily use their payment cards as cash acquisition tools, rather than for paying for goods and services directly at a POS terminal. In 2005 83 per cent of transactions took place at ATMs. The issuing market for payment cards is dominated by four or five large issuers, but there are also many smaller issuers in the country. As a result of this, there has been a great deal of consolidation in the market, and it is reasonable to expect further merger and takeover activity in the future.

Reasons to order your copy:

- Access detailed information about the Polish payment card market, including cards in issue, transaction volumes and transaction frequencies.

- Understand the structure of the Polish payment card market, including recent regulatory developments and their impact on the market.

- Learn our forecasts to 2010, specifying card numbers, transaction values and transaction volumes, broken down by card type.

For more information, visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c52543

Source:home.businesswire.com

Chief executive of Poland's national carrier LOT fired after 38 days on job

WARSAW, Poland: The supervisory board of Poland's national carrier LOT said Thursday it had fired the airline's chief executive, Marek Mazur, after only 38 days in the post.

Speaking to TVN24, Mazur said he did not know why he was fired.

Poland's State Treasury, the main shareholder in LOT, had been calling for Mazur's removal, arguing that the previous acting CEO, Tomasz Dembski, was a better candidate for the post.

The Treasury and trade unions have argued for months about who should hold the job, while the company has delayed announcing a long-term strategy to face growing competition.

Source:www.iht.com