Answer given by Mr Reynders
on behalf of the European Commission (13.9.2021)
As informed via the official twitter account of the Commission President at 10:29 pm on 13 July 2021, the topics discussed at her bilateral meeting with the Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki, were: 1) the next steps in reaching our common climate objectives and tomorrow’s proposals; 2) green taxonomy; 3) Recovery & Resilience Fund; 4) rule of law issues.
As regards the ongoing procedure under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union (‘TEU’), the Commission considers that the developments that have taken place since the Commission adopted its reasoned proposal on 20 December 2017, show that the majority of the serious concerns which have been raised have still not been resolved, and new concerns have arisen in the meantime. Such developments have prompted the Commission to initiate new infringement procedures against Poland concerning the independence of the judiciary.
The Commission also recalls that the organisation of hearings under the Article 7 TEU procedure is the responsibility of the Council. On 22 June 2021, a formal hearing of Poland in the ongoing procedure took place in the General Affairs Council. The Commission will continue to support the Council in the continuation of the Article 7 TEU procedure so as to resolve the issues at stake.