Compliance with EU treaties: Brussels takes Poland to EU court
Brussels (AFP) – On Wednesday, the European Commission announced that it would take Poland to the EU Court over rulings by the Polish Constitutional Court that challenge the primacy of European law, a move that could ultimately lead to financial sanctions.
The European executive, which monitors compliance with the EU treaties, had sent Poland a “reasoned opinion” last July, which was the next step in an infringement procedure launched in December 2021.
Warsaw’s response, which rejected the “reasoning” of the reasoned opinion, “does not address the commission’s concerns.” The Commission has therefore decided to bring an action against Poland before the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU), Brussels said in a statement.
For several years, the EU has been engaged in a tug-of-war with the conservative nationalist government in Warsaw over its judicial reforms, which are accused of undermining the independence of judges. (February 15)
Sofia opposes sending weapons to Ukraine but reaffirms support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity
Sofia (BTA) – Earlier this week, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev told journalists that he was categorically opposed to sending weapons from the reserves of the Bulgarian Army to the zone of hostilities. He expected the next decisions on military assistance to be taken after another early parliamentary election in April and the formation of a regular government.
“In the first hours Bulgaria stated a clear position and strongly condemns the Kremlin’s aggression against a sovereign state, but I continue to believe that this conflict does not have a military solution, which can only be achieved with an immediate ceasefire and dialogue,” said President Rumen Radev.
Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry reaffirmed the country’s commitment to Ukraine: “We stand united in our support for all Ukrainian citizens, we pay tribute to Ukraine and its people for their courage and sacrifice in defending their inalienable right to decide their own future. We remain committed to our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its European perspective.”(February 14, 15)
EU Parliament wants to mitigate violence against women
Strasbourg (dpa) – According to the European Parliament, the EU should accede as soon as possible to the Convention to Combat Violence against Women. The Istanbul Convention remains the most important instrument for mitigating violence against women, MEPs said in Strasbourg on February 15. One in three women in the EU has already experienced physical or sexual violence. Therefore, the convention must finally be ratified by the EU, they said.
Six years after the convention was signed, the EU has reportedly still not ratified it because six EU countries – Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia – have so far refused to do so in the Council. However, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled in 2021 that the EU could ratify the agreement even without a joint agreement. Poland is currently trying to revoke the agreement. (February 15)
This is a compilation of the European coverage of enr news agencies. It is published Tuesdays and Fridays. The content is an editorial selection based on news by the respective agency.