The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced on Friday February 23 in Warsaw the upcoming release of EU funds for Poland, in recognition of the efforts of the new pro-European government to realign the country with the principles of Rule of law.
Many European funds intended for Poland were blocked by Brussels following a long standoff between the European Commission and the previous nationalist populist government over controversial justice reforms carried out by the Law and Justice party (PiS), ousted from the power during the legislative elections last October.
“Two decisions will be taken next week regarding European funds
,” declared Ursula von der Leyen, referring to the overall sum of up to 137 billion euros in European recovery and cohesion funds.
“Your efforts are important, given the reforms you have launched and the measures you have taken regarding the independence of the courts
,” she welcomed, addressing the head of the new Polish government Donald Tusk , in the presence of Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, during their meeting with the media.
“Clear roadmap”
The head of the European executive welcomed the action plan that the Polish government presented this week to member states,
“a very strong statement, a clear roadmap for Poland”
.
The main points of this plan, unveiled Tuesday by Poland to restore the independence of justice, concern the statutes of the National Council of the Judiciary, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Tribunal, the ordinary courts but also the separation of functions of Minister of Justice and head of the national prosecutor's office.
A number of actions and draft laws relating to bringing the judicial system back to democratic standards have already been adopted or launched by Warsaw.
“That's it, we have it
,” said the Polish Prime Minister, whose government took office barely two months ago.
“This is a real mountain of money, which we will use wisely, which we will also use to defuse all these tensions and these unrest today
,” he promised, referring in particular to the farmer protests and blockages of Ukrainian imports at the border.
In December 2017, the European Commission activated Article 7 of the EU Treaty against Poland, provided for in the event of threats to the rule of law.
This procedure - which has since also been initiated against Hungary - can in theory go as far as a suspension of a state's voting rights in the Council of the EU.