7
Jun
2022
Watch
The rule of law and the potential approval of the Polish national Recovery Plan (RRF) (debate)
– Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, I would first like to recall that the Council and the Member States attach the utmost importance to our common objective, which is to protect and strengthen the rule of law throughout our European Union. As I indicated at the beginning of our debate, the French Presidency of the European Union has placed the subject of the rule of law on the Council’s agenda on numerous occasions. The French Presidency intervened in plenary and before the LIBE Committee on several occasions to inform the European Parliament about the actions taken in the Council. You have recalled this on numerous occasions: the rule of law is the beating heart of our Union and our democracies as well as of our European construction. We must protect this precious asset, not least because freedoms are under attack at our doorstep. It is therefore important to fully implement the judgments and orders of the Court of Justice of the European Union, including on the Disciplinary Chamber of the Polish Supreme Court. Some of you recalled this: Poland and Poles have shown extraordinary solidarity with Ukrainian refugees. The Recovery and Resilience Facility represents bold and coordinated action at European and national level in response to COVID-19. It has made it possible to move from crisis management to economic recovery. Ambitious policy agendas and proposed funding at EU and national level will help ensure a sustainable and inclusive recovery, enabling Europe to achieve the twin transition – green and digital – and become fairer and more resilient. The national plans should contribute to overcoming the challenges identified in the country recommendations, including rule of law issues for some Member States. The Council will continue to monitor the implementation of the Facility and, where appropriate, give political impetus to guidelines to fully exploit the potential of this instrument. It is ready to examine the Commission’s proposal for the approval of the assessment of the recovery and resilience plan for Poland, and will continue to ensure that, as for previously adopted plans, all plans fulfil the regulatory requirements for a positive assessment.