Poland has a legal and moral obligation as a member of the European Union to abide by the bloc's rules completely and unconditionally, the foreign ministers of France and Germany said in a joint statement issued on Friday.

Poland's Constitutional Tribunal on Thursday ruled that parts of EU law are incompatible with the Polish constitution, undermining the legal pillar on which the 27-nation EU stands, and prompting expressions of dismay from politicians across Europe.

The joint statement, issued by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and his German counterpart Heiko Maas, said the ministers had taken note of the Polish tribunal's decision.

"We remind you that membership of the European Union goes hand in hand with a complete and unconditional adherence to common values and rules," the statement said.

"It is incumbent on each member, and therefore of course on Poland, which occupies a vital place within the European Union, to respect these rules and values."

"This is not simply a moral commitment. It is also a legal commitment," the statement said.

Poland has a legal and moral obligation as a member of the European Union to abide by the bloc's rules completely and unconditionally, the foreign ministers of France and Germany said in a joint statement issued on Friday.

Poland has a legal and moral obligation as a member of the European Union to abide by the bloc's rules completely and unconditionally, the foreign ministers of France and Germany said in a joint statement issued on Friday. Poland's Constitutional Tribunal on Thursday ruled that parts of EU law are incompatible with the Polish constitution, undermining the legal pillar on which the 27-nation EU stands, and prompting expressions of dismay from politicians across Europe. The joint statement, issued by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and his German counterpart Heiko Maas, said the ministers had taken note of the Polish tribunal's decision. "We remind you that membership of the European Union goes hand in hand with a complete and unconditional adherence to common values and rules," the statement said. "It is incumbent on each member, and therefore of course on Poland, which occupies a vital place within the European Union, to respect these rules and values." "This is not simply a moral commitment. It is also a legal commitment," the statement said.

France and Germany say Poland must abide by EU rules

The EU's Court of Justice on Thursday ruled that a central part of Poland's judicial reforms was "not compatible" with the law, escalating a standoff that could trigger financial penalties.

"Poland has failed to fulfil its obligations under EU law," the court said in its ruling on a contested reform concerning disciplinary cases involving judges in Poland.

"Where the court finds that there has been a failure to fulfil obligations, the member state concerned must take the measures necessary to rectify the situation," it said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-protest-against-polands-plan-to-discipline-judges-274146">Thousands protest against Poland's plan to discipline judges</a>

Warsaw and Brussels have been at loggerheads for years over reforms pushed through by the&nbsp;Polish&nbsp;government, which is led by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party.

The&nbsp;Polish&nbsp;law on reforming the judiciary, which came into force in February last year, prevents judges from referring questions of law to the European Court of Justice.

It set up a "disciplinary chamber" to oversee&nbsp;Polish&nbsp;judges, with the power to lift their immunity to expose them to criminal proceedings or cut their salaries.

The EU court ruling comes a day after the same court ordered Poland to cease all activities of the "disciplinary chamber".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-launches-legal-action-against-hungary-poland-over-lgbtq-rights-398260">EU launches legal action against Hungary, Poland over LGBTQ rights</a>

If Poland fails to comply, it could face financial penalties.

Government spokesman Piotr Muller told public broadcaster TVP1 on Thursday that with its rulings, the European court was "attempting to acquire the competences of the member states" on judicial matters.

"It's an attempt to give EU institutions competences beyond what they have been granted in the treaties," he said.

The government argues the reforms are necessary to tackle corruption and end Communist-era legacies in the judiciary.

But the European Commission says they undermine rule of law and has sought to bring Poland, as well as Hungary, back into line with what it sees as European democratic norms.

Poland's Constitutional Court on Wednesday defied Brussels with its own ruling saying that any interim measures from the EU court against Poland's judicial reforms were "not in line" with the&nbsp;Polish&nbsp;constitution.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/poland-is-becoming-undemocratic-warns-human-rights-chief-who-was-recently-ordered-to-quit-381943">Poland is becoming 'undemocratic', warns human rights chief who was recently ordered to quit</a>

Government critics said that ruling constituted a departure from the EU's legal order, dubbing it a kind of "Polexit".

Former EU chief Donald Tusk, head of the opposition Civic Platform party, accused PiS of "leaving the EU".

"Only we Poles can successfully oppose this," he tweeted.

The EU's Court of Justice on Thursday ruled that a central part of Poland's judicial reforms was "not compatible" with the law, escalating a standoff that could trigger financial penalties.

The EU's Court of Justice on Thursday ruled that a central part of Poland's judicial reforms was "not compatible" with the law, escalating a standoff that could trigger financial penalties. "Poland has failed to fulfil its obligations under EU law," the court said in its ruling on a contested reform concerning disciplinary cases involving judges in Poland. "Where the court finds that there has been a failure to fulfil obligations, the member state concerned must take the measures necessary to rectify the situation," it said. Also read | Thousands protest against Poland's plan to discipline judges Warsaw and Brussels have been at loggerheads for years over reforms pushed through by the Polish government, which is led by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party. The Polish law on reforming the judiciary, which came into force in February last year, prevents judges from referring questions of law to the European Court of Justice. It set up a "disciplinary chamber" to oversee Polish judges, with the power to lift their immunity to expose them to criminal proceedings or cut their salaries. The EU court ruling comes a day after the same court ordered Poland to cease all activities of the "disciplinary chamber". Also read | EU launches legal action against Hungary, Poland over LGBTQ rights If Poland fails to comply, it could face financial penalties. Government spokesman Piotr Muller told public broadcaster TVP1 on Thursday that with its rulings, the European court was "attempting to acquire the competences of the member states" on judicial matters. "It's an attempt to give EU institutions competences beyond what they have been granted in the treaties," he said. The government argues the reforms are necessary to tackle corruption and end Communist-era legacies in the judiciary. But the European Commission says they undermine rule of law and has sought to bring Poland, as well as Hungary, back into line with what it sees as European democratic norms. Poland's Constitutional Court on Wednesday defied Brussels with its own ruling saying that any interim measures from the EU court against Poland's judicial reforms were "not in line" with the Polish constitution. Also read | Poland is becoming 'undemocratic', warns human rights chief who was recently ordered to quit Government critics said that ruling constituted a departure from the EU's legal order, dubbing it a kind of "Polexit". Former EU chief Donald Tusk, head of the opposition Civic Platform party, accused PiS of "leaving the EU". "Only we Poles can successfully oppose this," he tweeted.

Polish judicial reform 'not compatible' with EU law, court rules

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France and Germany say Poland must abide by EU rules

Polish judicial reform 'not compatible' with EU law, court rules