The report on the rule of law in the EU

The European Commission informed the Council and the European Parliament about the intention to close the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism for Romania and Bulgaria. It will be replaced by the annual report on the rule of law, applicable to all member states, announced the commissioner for values and transparency, Vera Jourova.

She expressed her belief that this will happen by the end of the year. In the report published today, the Commission recommends that Romania take measures to respond to the remaining concerns regarding the investigation and trial of criminal offences, but noted progress in ensuring the independence of the judicial system and in relation to the activity of the DNA (National Anti-corruption Division).

Romania has made significant progress regarding the revision of justice laws and the recruitment of DNA prosecutors and some progress in taking measures related to the investigation and trial of criminal offenses in the judicial system.

The European Commission recommends intensifying efforts to ensure effective public consultations before the adoption of laws, but also to obtain the accreditation of the National Institute for Human Rights and to conclude the process related to justice laws, taking into account the recommendations of the Venice Commission.

Romania is called upon to introduce without further delay rules regarding lobbying activity for members of parliament and is recommended to strengthen the mechanisms to increase the independent governance and editorial independence of public media services.

Regarding the other member countries of the Union, the report on the rule of law did not find a radical deterioration in any member state. The Commissioner for Values and Transparency, Vera Jourova, says that she has even noticed some improvements in the independence of the judicial system in Hungary, but recommends improvements in the independence of the media or the trial of high-level corruption.

The report says that Poland, on the other hand, has not made progress in ensuring the independence of the courts and fair procedures for granting media licenses.

Translated by: Radu Matei