Ministers for European affairs to review rule of law situation in Poland

The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) will meet on Tuesday 21 May in Brussels. In the meeting, the GAC will start preparations for the June European Council, continue the EU’s annual rule of law dialogue and take stock of the rule of law situation in Poland. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Anders Adlercreutz will represent Finland at the meeting.

The GAC will begin its preparations for the European Council meeting on 27–27 June with a discussion on the draft agenda. The June European Council will focus on Ukraine, security and defence, competitiveness, external relations and the next institutional cycle of the EU. The institutional cycle is the forthcoming five-year term of office of the European Commission and Parliament.

The General Affairs Council will continue its annual rule of law dialogue with discussions on the situations in Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Luxembourg. Finland’s long-standing policy on rule of law issues aims to promote the rule of law and the fight against corruption in the EU. In Finland’s view, the rule of law dialogue based on the Commission’s annual Rule of Law Report is an essential means of strengthening the rule of law in the European Union.  

The GAC will also take stock of the rule of law situation in Poland. On 20 December 2017, the Commission submitted a reasoned proposal for a Council Decision stating that there was a clear risk of a serious breach of the rule of law by Poland. On 6 May 2024, the Commission announced that, in its view, the rule of law situation in Poland had improved to such an extent that there was no longer a clear risk of a serious breach of the rule of law by the country under Article 7(1) of the Treaty on European Union. The Commission has informed the Council and the European Parliament of its intention to withdraw the reasoned proposal for Poland. The Council has the opportunity to express its views, if any, before the Commission takes a formal decision on the matter. 

“The measures Poland has taken to remedy the rule of law situation are notable and important. Finland agrees with the Commission’s assessment of the positive development with regard to the rule of law in Poland and supports the Commission’s plan to close the Article 7(1) TEU procedure. It is essential that efforts to improve and further develop the rule of law continue both in Poland and other Member States,” says Minister Adlercreutz.

In the General Affairs Council (GAC), the EU Member States are primarily represented by their ministers for European affairs. The tasks of the GAC include preparations for the European Council meetings. The GAC is also responsible for a number of cross-cutting policy areas, including negotiations on the multiannual financial framework and EU enlargement. Questions related to the rule of law are also an established part of the GAC’s agenda. 

Inquiries: Heli Siivola, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 50 576 7745 and Andreas Elfving, Special Adviser to the Minister, tel. +358 50 310 0274, Prime Minister’s Office