The procedure under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union was discussed with the EU Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, and the Vice President of the European Commission, Věra Jourová. "We will take all possible actions to ensure that the Article 7 procedure is not applied to Poland. This will require legislative changes, presenting appropriate draft laws, and an action plan," assured Adam Bodnar.

The European Commission initiated the Article 7 procedure against Poland in December 2017, expressing concerns about Poland's adherence to the rule of law. "Deputy Minister of Justice Dariusz Mazur ensures that Poland fulfills the milestones," said the Minister of Justice.

Two main topics dominated the discussion during the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council: increased cooperation among judges and prosecutors from EU countries in combating organized drug crime, and small-scale imprisonment in open-type prisons for 20-50 people convicted of minor offenses. "We will open the first such prisons in Poland in April," emphasized Minister Adam Bodnar, stating that their goal is faster integration of inmates with society.

Deputy Minister of Justice Krzysztof Śmiszek addressed the priorities of the Polish presidency in the EU starting in January 2025, stating, "Poland wants to be an exporter of good practices," emphasizing the importance of civil society in protecting democracy.

The EU Justice and Home Affairs Council provides an excellent opportunity for intergovernmental meetings and discussions about the future of the EU. "We showed in Brussels that we value dialogue and cooperation with European institutions and aim to regain credibility in relations with other EU member states," said Deputy Minister Krzysztof Śmiszek. "We told Europe: we're back. We are talking to everyone who contributes to Europe and cares about continuing the European project," he emphasized.

Minister Adam Bodnar and Deputy Minister Krzysztof Śmiszek held discussions with EU politicians and counterparts from other countries, including the Chairmen of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs (LIBE), Juan Fernandem López Aguilarem, the the Committee on Legal Affairs of the European Parliament, Adrian Vázquez Lazarem, the Minister of Justice of Germany, Marco Buschmann, and the Minister of Justice of Sweden, Gunnar Strömmer.

The two-day JHA session, inaugurating the Belgian presidency in the EU, began on Thursday, January 25. Ministers from EU member states and Schengen area member states, as well as representatives of EU institutions and agencies, including Europol, Frontex, the EU Asylum Agency, and the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, participated in the discussions.