Earlier in May, the European Commission said it would withdraw the procedure, launched in December 2017 under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union, after the Polish government elected last year took steps to address the issues in question.
"The Commission considers that there is no longer a clear risk of a serious breach of the rule of law in Poland under" Article 7, the statement said.
The procedure was initiated because of controversial steps taken by the previous Polish government, such as the creation of a special disciplinary chamber with powers over the country's judges and a decision which argued that EU law was inferior to Polish national law.
Last year, however, a pro-European government came to power in Poland, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a former president of the European Council, who represents the 27 countries of the bloc.
Since taking office, his government has reformed the country's judiciary, re-recognized the rule of EU law and taken other steps to address Brussels' concerns.
"Poland has taken a series of measures to address concerns about the independence of the judiciary," the EU executive said.
"Today is an important day for the rule of law in Poland and in the European Union. We will continue to cooperate with the Polish authorities to support them in their efforts to strengthen the rule of law," said the Commission's Executive Vice-President Vera Jourová.
Article 7 - a procedure of last resort used in the event of threats to the rule of law - could theoretically end up suspending a country's voting rights at EU summits.
In 2018, the European Parliament launched a separate Article 7 procedure against Hungary for restricting independent media, civil society, arts, and culture. / BGNES
