"Norway is concerned about developments regarding the rule of law in Poland. An independent judiciary is a vital component of any well-functioning democracy and is essential for safeguarding fundamental human rights. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also been made aware that the Norwegian Courts Administration has decided to withdraw from its planned cooperation with Poland under the justice programme" - the Norwegian MFA wrote on its website on Thursday. Poland's Ministry of Justice informed on Friday that it received no official statement from Norwegian authorities regarding withdrawal from the justice programme, and expressed concerns regarding the rule of law in Norway.

The Norwegian State Secretary Audun Halvorsen said that "the Norwegian authorities are not prepared to sign the agreement with Poland on cooperation in the justice sector under the EEA and Norway Grants scheme in its current form".

"The fact that we are now reconsidering this cooperation is a clear signal to the Polish authorities that the Norwegian Government is concerned about developments regarding the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in Poland," Halvorsen added.

The Norwegian MFA also informed that the parties would now review the plans for the justice programme in Poland. Furthermore, the decision would not affect other cooperation with Poland under the EEA and Norway Grants.

State Secretary Halvorsen stressed: "We still consider it appropriate to continue our other cooperation with Poland under the EEA and Norway Grants scheme. But due to our concerns about rule of law developments in Poland, we will assess the situation continuously and any consequences for the rest of our cooperation with Poland under the Grants scheme, also in the implementation phase".

Poland concerned with Norway

Poland's Ministry of Justice informed on Friday it did not receive official information regarding the Norwegian Courts Administration's withdrawal from the justice programme.

The ministry also reassured that "Poland and Norway are continuing negotiations over the programme, in order to spend the granted 70 million euro the best possible way".

Furthermore, the justice ministry underscored Poland also expressed concerns regarding the rule of law in Norway. In particular, the concerns pertain to the practice of Norwegian courts which approve of taking away children from their biological parents by Norwegian Child Welfare Services (Barnavernet).

EEA and Norway Grants for Poland

Poland is the largest beneficiary of funding under the EEA and Norway Grants scheme, with an allocation of approximately NOK 8 billion for the current funding period (2014-2021), divided between a number of different programmes.

The justice programme (approx. NOK 700 million) is still under development. The planned programme has three main elements: cooperation on the work of the correctional services (approximately NOK 480 million), cooperation aimed at combating domestic violence (approx. NOK 60 million) and judicial cooperation (approx. NOK 110 million).

In addition to the Norwegian Courts Administration, the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security and the Norwegian Correctional Service are also involved as partners in the programme.

Autor:gf