Premier Babiš spoke on the phone with the Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki

Today, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš had a telephone conversation with the new Polish Premier Mateusz Morawiecki. Premier Babiš called his Polish counterpart to discuss the European Commission's decision on launching a process against Poland due to alleged violation of the rule of law.

"It is a long-term problem between the European Commission and Poland. I believe that the opinion of the European Commission is the result of insufficient communication. I urged the Polish premier today to continue the dialogue between his government and the Commission. I believe that if Poland initiates an active dialogue, the issue will be explained. It is in no one's interest to stir up controversy between the Union institutions and Member States," said Czech Premier Andrej Babiš.

The Czech and Polish premiers agreed that continuation of the process could have a negative impact on the whole region.

The proceedings launched today by the European Commission will shift to the level of Member States in the new year. The next steps will be decided by ministers of the Member States at a meeting of the General Affairs Council, which will take place on 29 January 2018.

The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, will meet with the Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on 9 January 2018 in Brussels.