Welcome Back, Tusk, into the EU's Embrace! 🎉
Von der Leyen warmly welcomed Donald Tusk's return to the European family with open arms! She praised his dedication to placing the rule of law at the heart of a government's agenda and his determination to address concerns raised by the European Court of Justice and the Commission in recent years.
Poland is expected to receive a significant net sum of 6.3 billion euros in grants and loans before year's end, mostly sourced from the European Corona Reconstruction Fund. The EU Commission has officially approved Poland's application for this aid, which will primarily support investments in the energy sector to promote renewable sources, modernize energy storage systems, and improve infrastructure such as faster internet and safer road traffic.
Addressing Common Values 🤝
Tusk affirmed, "Money is not the most important thing, it's about our common values." His return to Brussels is a symbolic gesture of Poland's commitment to adhering to EU values and ensuring the proper use of allocated funds. This recognition is a testament to Poland's dedication to upholding the rule of law.
Behind the Scenes 🔎
The European Commission took action against Poland over concerns related to judicial reform and the endangerment of the rule of law. The concern stemmed from concerns over the disciplinary chamber of the Polish Supreme Court, which enabled the Polish nationalist government to penalize magistrates based on their rulings.
Brussels invoked the "offset mechanism" to deduct daily fines worth €1 million initially and decreasing to €500,000 per day later. The General Court in Luxembourg approved the Commission's actions, acknowledging that Poland had not honored its commitments regarding judicial independence.
With the election of a new pro-rule of law government led by Tusk, cooperation between Poland and the EU significantly improved. However, disputes over migration policies and solidarity measures continue to remain contentious issues as Poland currently serves as the EU's 6-month rotating presidency.
Key Statements 🗣
- Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged Poland's solidarity in hosting Ukrainian refugees and emphasized EU member states' discretion to choose among three solidarity measures, without being obligated to relocate refugees if they so choose.
- Donald Tusk reiterated Poland's stance on protecting Europe from illegal migration while confronting pressure from such immigration.
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