European commission Vice President, Frans Timmermans said behind closed doors during Poland's hearing at a European General Affairs Council that the situation in Polish judicial system has worsened, according to Polish Press Agency's (PAP) sources. Polish European affairs minister, Konrad Szymański, on the other hand, underscored that organisation of judicial systems is an exlusive competence of member-states.
European affairs ministers are questioning Poland within the Article 7 procedure of the EU treaty. According to sources, Timmermans has been listing concrete examples when Polish authorities, despite being informed about the problems, failed to introduce recommended corrections, especially in regard to the situation in the Supreme Court.
Sources also said that Timmermans annouced the European Commission will soon decide on further steps regarding the Supreme Court law. On Wednesday, the EU commissioners are expected to send a complaint on this issue to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Polish European affairs minister, Konrad Szymański, on the other hand, declared openness for a discussion. According to diplomats, he underscored that organisation of judicial systems is an exlusive competence of member-states. At the same time, he didn't rule out a possibility of discussing of ensuring EU regulations. He reassured that the rule of law is of equal importance to Poland and the whole EU. Despite earlier unofficial information, Poland did not submit a request to close the Article 7 procedure.
Before the hearing, members of the Austrian presidency reassured that as long as the member-states will have concerns, the Council of the European Union will be looking into them.
After the speeches by Timmermans and Szymański, the floor was given to Polish experts.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 International, PAP