Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar, who attended a plenary session of the Venice Commission on Friday, told the Polish Press Agency (PAP) that cooperation with the Council of Europe advisory body on constitutional law is needed during the current period of change in Poland. He added that the commission should be a reviewer of proposed solutions.
During the Venice meeting, Minister Bodnar gave a speech and exchanged opinions on the rule of law in Poland.
“I think there is an understanding of these processes that are taking place in Poland. For me it was very important to say that I appreciate the work of the Venice Commission over the past eight years, because it has prepared several important reports, regarding the Constitutional Tribunal, the prosecutor's office, wiretapping powers and in terms of operational control, the judiciary,” Bodnar stated when asked on how he was received by the Venice Commission.
Bodnar said that he spoke about this new chapter giving relations in his speech at the Council of Europe's advisory body.
“I think there is an understanding of these processes that are taking place in Poland. For me it was very important to say that I appreciate the work of the Venice Commission over the past eight years, because it has prepared several important reports, regarding the Constitutional Tribunal, the prosecutor's office, wiretapping powers and in terms of operational control, the judiciary,” Bodnar stated when asked on how he was received by the Venice Commission.
Bodnar said that he spoke about this new chapter giving relations in his speech at the Council of Europe's advisory body.
“We must, as Poland, rebuild trust, and this trust is not just a matter of saying we are going to do something, but must consist of very concrete deeds, as well as loyal cooperation with both the European Union and international organizations. The Venice Commission is part of the Council of Europe and is highly respected in terms of its activities,” he explained.
When asked whether the Polish authorities will be asking the Commission for opinions on new laws in the near future, the minister replied: “There is already one request for an opinion, regarding the law on the National Council of the Judiciary, which was submitted by the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. I will also request that this draft, which has been prepared, be evaluated by the Venice Commission.”
The Minister of Justice stressed that there is no doubt of this draft not being in line with European standards.
“We wrote and prepared it very carefully, but perhaps there are some elements that the Commission will see that should be improved,” he said.
“We are facing massive legislative work that has already begun and that will continue, because it is not only the National Council of the Judiciary, but also the status of the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court, the prosecutor's office or the system of common courts,” Bodnar went on to say.
“All these laws are under very close, direct interest from the Venice Commission,” he explained.
When asked whether the Polish authorities will be asking the Commission for opinions on new laws in the near future, the minister replied: “There is already one request for an opinion, regarding the law on the National Council of the Judiciary, which was submitted by the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. I will also request that this draft, which has been prepared, be evaluated by the Venice Commission.”
The Minister of Justice stressed that there is no doubt of this draft not being in line with European standards.
“We wrote and prepared it very carefully, but perhaps there are some elements that the Commission will see that should be improved,” he said.
“We are facing massive legislative work that has already begun and that will continue, because it is not only the National Council of the Judiciary, but also the status of the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court, the prosecutor's office or the system of common courts,” Bodnar went on to say.
“All these laws are under very close, direct interest from the Venice Commission,” he explained.
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