The UK Independence Party (UKIP) is most noted for standing up for what it perceives is the British national interest, especially when it comes to immigration and the European Union.

But now, a UKIP-affiliated group, the ‘Friends of Poland in UKIP’ is taking steps to show that the party is not simply concerned with British national sovereignty and protection from the EU, but that the same principles apply for all European nations.

In an open letter to the European Commission’s representative in the United Kingdom, the Friends of Poland in UKIP raise the issue of the legal proceedings that have begun against Poland by the European Commission for drilling for shale gas.

Euractiv reported last week: “The European Commission has begun legal proceedings against Poland for amending its national laws to allow shale drills at depths of up to 5,000 metres without first having assessed the potential environmental impacts, EurActiv has learned.”

But the UKIP Friends of Poland disagree, citing the Polish national interest, sovereignty, and alluding to the energy security debate surrounding Russia, urging the European Commission to back down.

You can read the full letter below: 

Head of Representation

Ms Jackie Minor

European Commission Representation in the UK

Europe House

32 Smith Square

London SW1P 3EU

Cc: His Excellency Witold Sobków, The Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the Court of St. James’s

4th August, 2014

Dear Head of Representation,

We are very concerned to read that the European Commission has begun legal proceedings against Poland for amending its national laws to drill for shale gas at the depths it deems necessary.

First of all, the territory in question is Polish and as such it is down to Poland to amend its laws as it deems appropriate.

Secondly, and what is more concerning, these legal proceedings act as an obstruction to Poland and the European Union increasing their gas independence at a time when energetic self-sufficiency has never been more important.

By obstructing the progress of Polish shale gas extraction you are only furthering the interests of Russia who Poland and other countries in the region are overly reliant on for their gas needs. It practically begs the question whose interests the European Commission is serving.

We look forward to hearing from you with a substantiation of your actions.

Yours sincerely, 

Przemek Skwirczynski, Chairman – Friends of Poland in UKIP