No progress reported in Poland-EU standoff over courts

WARSAW, Poland – A top European Union official and the Polish prime minister have not reported any progress after a meeting aimed at breaking an impasse over changes to the Polish courts that the EU says violate European democratic standards.

Frans Timmermans, the European Commission’s first vice-president, described talks Monday with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki as “constructive,” while the Polish leader said, “we are constantly focused on finding a solution.”

But they did not report a compromise and did not let reporters ask questions.

Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party says it is fixing a corrupt and unaccountable court system. The EU sees an erosion of the democratic system of checks and balances.

Time is running out for a resolution, with a disputed law on the Supreme Court to take effect July 3.