France concerned with Polish judiciary reforms ahead Macron's visit

"I have mentioned our concern and sensitivity in that regard (the rule of law), which we consider crucial for credibility of the European project - announced the French Secretary of State for European Affairs Amelie de Montchalin at the meeting with her Polish and German counterparts in the Louvre-Lens Museum in northern France.

De Montchalin also referred to the opinion issued by the Venice Commission on the Polish amendment to court laws. In the said opinion it was argued that some of the provision included in the bill, already passed by the lower house, may be seen as further weakening of the independence of the Polish justice system. The Commission recommended not adopting the proposed legislation. "We call upon Warsaw to fully implement recommendations formulated by the Commission" - De Montchalin stressed.

Polish Minister for European Affairs Konrad Szymański, quoted by AFP, said there was no "conflict between Poland and Brussels over the rule of law". "We're not discussing whether or not the rule of law should be observed. It should obviously be observed in the European Union, in the member-states and our political culture" - Szymański said.

He added that "the dispute is over the method of implementation of the rule of law under particular circumstances, on a particular example of justice system reform". "There are situations in the EU when a state and the EU Commisson have different opinions on how to implement rules of the treaty and the EU law," he added. Szymański also called for full "respecting of national competencies" and "identity" of states in that sphere.

French agency points out that if Warsaw stands by its opinion, the issue may be the main topic during Macron's visit to Poland on February 3rd and 4th.