“This is an appropriate response by the European Commission on the basis of some speculation that appeared in Western European countries [about Poland],” Bochenek added.
“What happened in the EC is a standard procedure,” the spokesman told reporters on Wednesday.
The European Commission said it was starting a probe into whether controversial laws pushed through by Poland's new Law and Justice (PiS) government violate EU standards.
“Let me stress very clearly. This is a cooperative approach by the European Commission. This is how we see our role as guardian of the Treaty, to have a dialogue with the member states if there is something that needs to be discussed,” EU Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans said.
The move is the first of its kind taken by the European Union and follows a slew of international criticism over changes to the media and judiciary in Poland.
“Today’s decision by the EC will have serious repercussions for Poland,” tweeted former foreign minister and frontrunner for the head of the Civic Platform (PO) party Grzegorz Schetyna. “If I were the government, I would treat this fact very seriously.” (rg)
Gov’t spokesman: Warsaw-Brussels relations ‘not in danger’ following EC decision
No decisions were taken which would endanger the relationship between Warsaw and Brussels, said Polish government spokesman Rafał Bochenek following an announcement that the European Commission would investigate actions by the Polish government.
“This is an appropriate response by the European Commission on the basis of some speculation that appeared in Western European countries [about Poland],” Bochenek added.
“What happened in the EC is a standard procedure,” the spokesman told reporters on Wednesday.
The European Commission said it was starting a probe into whether controversial laws pushed through by Poland's new Law and Justice (PiS) government violate EU standards.
“Let me stress very clearly. This is a cooperative approach by the European Commission. This is how we see our role as guardian of the Treaty, to have a dialogue with the member states if there is something that needs to be discussed,” EU Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans said.
The move is the first of its kind taken by the European Union and follows a slew of international criticism over changes to the media and judiciary in Poland.
“Today’s decision by the EC will have serious repercussions for Poland,” tweeted former foreign minister and frontrunner for the head of the Civic Platform (PO) party Grzegorz Schetyna. “If I were the government, I would treat this fact very seriously.” (rg)