Brussels, 21 May 2024
Rule of law in Poland
As part of the Article 7(1) procedure, the Council discussed the rule of law situation in Poland.
The Commission informed ministers of the analysis it had undertaken to determine whether the “clear risk of a serious breach” required under Article 7(1) still existed. This analysis was based on the Action Plan set out by the Polish government in February 2024, and the steps initiated to promote judicial independence in the key institutions identified in the December 2017 reasoned proposal, including the National Council for the Judiciary, the Supreme Court, and the ordinary courts. The Action Plan was presented by Poland at the General Affairs Council of February 2024, with an update on progress in March 2024.
The steps enumerated by the Commission in its analysis were confirmed by the Polish Justice Minister Adam Bodnar.
The Commission explained that it had therefore concluded that the “clear risk of a serious breach” no longer existed, and that as a result, it had the intention to withdraw its reasoned proposal.
On the basis of an exchange of member states within the Council on the Article 7(1) procedure concerning Poland and the welcome expressed for the steps taken by Poland to address the issues raised in the reasoned proposal, as well as its clear commitment to respect the primacy of EU law and to implement judgements of the Court of Justice of the EU in full, as well as the support shown to the analysis of the Commission, the Presidency concluded that the Council had taken note of the intention of the Commission to withdraw its reasoned proposal.
June European Council
Ministers started preparations for the European Council meeting on 27 and 28 June 2024 by discussing an annotated draft agenda.
At their meeting in June, leaders will address issues related to:
- Ukraine
- security and defence
- competitiveness
- external relations
- the next institutional cycle
Annual rule of law dialogue
As part of the annual rule of law dialogue, ministers discussed the rule of law situation in Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Luxembourg.
This was the second country-specific discussion during the Belgian presidency, in line with the Presidency conclusions of 12 December 2023, which envisaged three country-specific discussions per year, each focusing on the situation in four member states.
The country-specific discussions are part of the commitment to make the annual rule of law dialogue stronger and more structured, while fully respecting the principles of objectivity, non-discrimination and equal treatment of all member states. The objective is to have a constructive and open exchange of comments and best practices.
- 2023 Rule of law report (European Commission)
- Evaluation of the Council’s rule of law dialogue – Presidency conclusions (press release, 12 December 2023)
- Rule of law (background information)
Foreign interference in electoral processes
The Council approved without discussion conclusions on democratic resilience and safeguarding electoral processes from all forms of foreign interference.
The conclusions give an overview of all the existing instruments and tools at EU level to safeguard electoral processes from foreign interference. In view of the upcoming European Parliament elections, the Council calls on EU institutions and member states to step up action to monitor attempts by foreign actors to interfere in the EU’s democratic process.
As billions of citizens cast their ballots globally in 2024 – including in the European Parliament elections – the conclusions underline that democratic resilience remains a central focus of the Council’s agenda.
Hybrid threats
The Council also approved without discussion the guiding framework for the practical establishment of the EU Hybrid Rapid Response Teams. As one of the key deliverables of the Strategic Compass, the teams will provide tailored and targeted short-term assistance to member states, Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations, and partner countries in countering hybrid threats and campaigns.
Preparatory documents
- Provisional list of A items
- List of A items, non-legislative activities
- List of A items, non-legislative activities, addition 1
- Background brief
Outcome documents
Press releases
- Public access to Council documents: 2023 report
- Democratic resilience: Council approves conclusions on safeguarding electoral processes from foreign interference
- Hybrid threats: Council paves the way for deploying Hybrid Rapid Response Teams
- EUDA: Council establishes the first ever European Union Diplomatic Academy to train EU diplomats
- Extraordinary revenues generated by immobilised Russian assets: Council greenlights the use of net windfall profits to support Ukraine’s self-defence and reconstruction