Today, the Commission published its sixth annual Rule of Law Report, examining rule of law developments in all Member States. This is the first report under the Commission's new mandate. It consolidates the successful engagement with Member States based on a preventive and dialogue-based approach to strengthen the rule of law, and it is an important incentive for reform.
The Rule of Law Report and the annual rule of law cycle contribute to the resilience of Europe's democracy, security and economy in a global environment where the respect for fundamental rights and democratic systems are increasingly under pressure. It is therefore essential for the EU to reaffirm its commitment to the rule of law and to take concrete steps to promote and defend it, on our continent and across the globe. As it did in 2024, the Report does not only cover 27 Member States but also includes four country chapters dedicated to developments in Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.
This year's Report confirms that there is a positive trajectory in many Member States, as important reforms have been taken forward across the four key areas covered by the report – justice, anti-corruption, media freedom and institutional checks and balances. While challenges remain in some Member States, and in a few cases the situation is serious, the overall engagement with the process remains strong, and Member States have addressed a substantial number of the 2024 recommendations, in full or in part.
Respect for the rule of law is also essential for delivering policies that promote competitiveness through the Single Market and empower citizens to actively participate in both society and the economy. The rule of law is an important consideration for companies operating across borders. Businesses, in particular, small and medium-sized enterprises, need a stable and predictable economic environment. As set out in President von der Leyen's Political Guidelines, this year's report puts a particular emphasis on issues that have a direct link with the proper functioning of the Single Market, such as sound lawmaking, public procurement rules and the stability of the regulatory environment.
The Report looks ahead to an evolving European Union. The new generation of EU spending instruments, to be presented as part of the next multiannual financial framework, will ensure that compliance with the principle of the rule of law remains a must for EU funds. EU financial support for investment and reforms to promote the rule of law can offer real added value. This can feed into a broader effort to track the effective implementation of recommendations issued in the Report.
