The European Commission has allowed Poland to unfreeze access to money from European funds, according to a statement on the EC website.
“The European Commission has adopted two legal acts that will give Poland access to EU funding of up to 137 billion euros,” the text says.
Brussels concluded that Poland has completed two important steps in reforming the judicial system, in particular, changing the disciplinary regime for judges. In addition, the country began using the Arachne IT tool, which supports EU audit systems and protects against fraud.
As a result, Warsaw will receive up to 59.8 billion euros from the Pandemic Recovery Fund and up to 76.5 billion euros from cohesion funds. The first 6.3 billion will be allocated in the coming weeks.
At the EU Council meeting on 20 February, Polish authorities presented a Rule of Law Action Plan, including a timetable for the adoption of nine judicial laws. It is intended to restore the independence of the judiciary in the country and end the dispute with the European Commission on judicial reform.
Poland's dispute with the EC began during the period when the Law and Justice party was in power in the country.
Brussels concluded that Warsaw, when carrying out judicial reform, did not fulfill its obligations to provide effective remedies in an independent and impartial court.
After the elections on October 15, a new government was formed in Poland under the leadership of Donald Tusk, which declared its intention to correct the violations committed by its predecessors.