EU Commission report: 'progress on rule of law in the 27 states'

(ANSA) - BRUXELLES, 24 LUG - Judicial systems, anti-corruption frameworks, media freedom and pluralism, and other institutional balances: two-thirds, almost 68%, of the recommendations made by Brussels last year to member states to advance the rule of law have been fully or partially implemented, and the capitals are now "much better prepared to identify, prevent, and address emerging challenges." This is stated by the European Commission in its fifth annual report on the rule of law, which for the first time includes four chapters on developments in Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. "Systemic" concerns remain in terms of judicial independence, with specific cases of deterioration observed, prompting the Commission to recommend safeguarding judicial appointment procedures.
    Further actions are also needed to strengthen preventive frameworks for combating corruption, such as those regulating lobbying and conflicts of interest, as well as asset declaration rules, and to "ensure the effectiveness of investigations and judicial proceedings in corruption cases." As for media freedom, concerns are expressed regarding the independence of public service broadcasters' governance or financial stability, transparency of media ownership, the right to access public documents, and the transparent and fair allocation of state advertising.
    "The excessive use of accelerated procedures or the overall quality of the legislative process" raises concerns from Brussels within the institutional framework. (ANSA).