Debate: The rule of law and the potential approval of the Polish national Recovery Plan
Date: TUESDAY, 7 JUNE 2022
Speaker: Valdis Dombrovskis
Language: EN

Let me thank you for this fruitful and lively debate. We have heard you loud and clear, and we share many of your very legitimate concerns. The Commission is fully committed to its role as the guardian of the Treaties, now as much as ever. Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine does but strengthen our conviction that our liberal democracies, based on the rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms, must prevail. I will therefore make no compromise when it comes to protecting the rule of law, the EU’s founding principles and values or its financial interests. For the Polish Recovery and Resilience Plan to succeed, we have to make sure that every single euro is spent in line with those principles. This is why we will monitor and assess carefully its implementation of judiciary reforms included in the plan before any payment is made. This is key to support the economic and social resilience of Poland, for Poland to emerge stronger from the crisis at a time where the Polish people have also shown their extraordinary generosity towards those fleeing Ukraine. It is also essential to ensure the full credibility of the Recovery and Resilience Facility and our Joint European Recovery Plan. We should be very clear on what this positive assessment of the Polish plan means and what it does not mean. It means that the plan fulfils all the assessment criteria under the RRF Regulation. It does not mean that all issues related to rule of law are settled. With regard to the legal proceedings before the Court of Justice, the Commission will continue to execute from Poland’s daily penalty payments until full compliance with the order of 14 July 2021. The Commission will not close an infringement or ask the Court to discontinue a case before Poland fully and effectively addresses all the issues that were identified by the Commission. The RRF can only complement other EU instruments specifically intended to pursue the respect of the rule of law and protection of the financial interests of the Union. I am referring to infringement proceedings against Poland relating to violations of judicial independence. I am also referring to preliminary reference before the Court of Justice. Furthermore, the procedure under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union, which has been triggered with Poland in December 2017, is still ongoing. The Commission will also soon publish its yearly rule of law report. Finally, the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation provides an additional instrument to protect the Union’s financial instruments. Honourable Members, questions were also raised on the European Commission proceedings, referring to the number of members of College voting against. To be precise, there were two members of College voting against. This is not the first time vote is taking place in College, something clearly foreseen in the rules of procedure. The positive assessment of Poland’s Recovery and Resilience Plan is a decisive moment to support the Polish recovery and economy, even more so in a difficult context created by the war at its borders. However, it is only first step towards effectively disbursing any funds to Poland. As reaffirmed by the President today, no money from the Recovery and Resilience Facility will be disbursed to Poland until the crucial milestones to strengthen the independence of judiciary are met. It will therefore be up to Poland to live up to its commitments under its Recovery and Resilience Plan, as it is the case for all Member States.