Sittings · Document
DRAFT OPINION (2025/2239(INI)) 2025-12-05
On the Commission’s 2025 Rule of Law report – annual report 2025
Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Adrián Vázquez Lázara
AMENDMENTS
The Committee on Foreign Affairs submits the following to the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, as the committee responsible:
Amendment 1
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to the Treaty on European Union (TEU), in particular Articles 2, 3(1), 3(3), second subparagraph, 4(3), 5, 6, 7, 11, 19 and 49 thereof, | – having regard to the Treaty on European Union (TEU), in particular Articles 2, 3(1), 3(3), second subparagraph, 4(3), 5, 6, 7, 11, 19, 21 and 49 thereof, |
Or. en
Amendment 2
Motion for a resolution
Citation 58 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to its resolutions on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Serbia1a, on Albania1b, on North Macedonia1c, on Montenegro1d, on Bosnia and Herzegovina1e, on Georgia1f, on Kosovo1g, on Türkiye1h, and on Ukraine1i, ______________ 1a Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0093. 1b Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0155. 1c Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0157. 1d Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0130. 1e Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0156. 1f Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0158. 1g Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0094. 1h Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0092. 1i Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0175. |
Or. en
Amendment 3
Motion for a resolution
Citation 58 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to its resolution of 22 October 2025 on the polarisation and increased repression in Serbia, one year after the Novi Sad tragedy1a, ______________ 1a Texts adopted, P10_TA(2025)0248. |
Or. en
Amendment 4
Motion for a resolution
Citation 64 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to the final report of the election observation mission of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on the parliamentary elections of 11 May 2025 in Albania, published on 23 October 2025, |
Or. en
Amendment 5
Motion for a resolution
Citation 64 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to the statements of preliminary findings and conclusions of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission on the early election of the President of Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina of 23 November 2025, published on 21 November 2025, on the local elections of 19 October and 2 November 2025 in North Macedonia, published on 20 October and 3 November 2025, and on the parliamentary elections of 28 September 2025 in Moldova, published on 29 September 2025, |
Or. en
Amendment 6
Motion for a resolution
Citation 64 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to the final report of the EU Election Observation Mission on the parliamentary elections of 9 February 2025 in Kosovo, published on 15 May 2025, |
Or. en
Amendment 7
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Aa. whereas the Copenhagen criteria stipulate that aspiring member states must embrace the fundamental principles of the EU as a prerequisite for accession, and that these principles must remain inviolable thereafter; whereas adherence to the EU’s legislation, policies and positions, in particular concerning democracy, human rights and the rule of law, is an essential component of this obligation; |
Or. en
Amendment 8
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Ab. whereas the protection and defence of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and the principles of international law, constitute a cornerstone of the EU’s external action, as stipulated in Article 21 TEU; |
Or. en
Amendment 9
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| B. whereas the EU cannot disregard the social and fundamental rights dimensions upon which it was built; whereas the persistent shortcomings in the protection of economic and social rights must be regarded as an integral part of the systemic threat to the values of Article 2 TEU; | B. whereas the EU cannot disregard the social and fundamental rights dimensions upon which it was built; whereas these dimensions must be articulated in a manner consistent with the functioning of a market economy and with the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of those rights; whereas the persistent shortcomings in the protection of economic and social rights must be regarded as an integral part of the systemic threat to the values of Article 2 TEU; |
Or. en
Amendment 10
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Ba. whereas to effectively implement the objectives outlined in Article 2 TEU, the EU, in particular the Commission, must safeguard the rule of law by maintaining consistency and taking commensurate action against any internal or external governmental attempts to undermine this fundamental European value; |
Or. en
Amendment 11
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| C. whereas in 2025 the EU has faced serious and multifaceted challenges in its Member States in relation to the protection of the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights, which are all intrinsically connected; | C. whereas in 2025 the EU has faced serious and multifaceted challenges in its Member States, candidate and potential candidate countries in relation to the protection of the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights, which are all intrinsically connected; |
Or. en
Amendment 12
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| D. whereas the Commission’s 2026 work programme underlines the need for an integrated annual rule-of-law cycle with a common pace, clear milestones and the active contribution of all the EU institutions; whereas respect for the rule of law remains imperative to safeguard all EU funds; | D. whereas the Commission’s 2026 work programme underlines the need for an integrated annual rule-of-law cycle with a common pace, clear milestones and the actions and contribution of all the EU institutions; whereas respect for the rule of law remains imperative to safeguard all EU funds; |
Or. en
Amendment 13
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 1. Calls on the Member States to take the necessary measures to ensure independent judicial systems and access to free legal aid, thereby guaranteeing equal access to justice for all, and reiterates the need for concrete actions to improve access, specifically for marginalised and vulnerable groups; | 1. Calls on the Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries to take the necessary measures to ensure independent judicial systems and access to free legal aid, thereby guaranteeing equal access to justice for all, and reiterates the need for concrete actions to improve access, specifically for marginalised and vulnerable groups; notes the lack of independence of judicial systems in some Member States and in some candidate and potential candidate countries, and stresses the utmost importance of the EU’s strong support in this field; |
Or. en
Amendment 14
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 1a. Stresses the need to ensure the independence of prosecutors’ offices from the executive branch, ensuring that they can carry out their work without undue influence or pressure from their governments and guaranteeing full respect for individual citizens’ rights; |
Or. en
Amendment 15
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 2a. Stresses the importance of maintaining a rules-based international order and an EU based on rules to uphold the universal values on which it is founded; calls for the EU and its Member States to continue and strengthen their support for European and international justice institutions, starting with the reinforcement of internal judicial cooperation mechanisms based on mutual trust between the judicial systems of the various Member States and of candidate and potential candidate countries; |
Or. en
Amendment 16
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 3. Underlines the clear link between rule-of-law backsliding and serious violations of fundamental and minority rights, including the excessive use of force by law enforcement, lack of due process for detainees, political or institutional incitement to hatred, disproportionate surveillance powers, and restrictive measures targeting civil society organisations; firmly believes that the Commission should assess the extent to which Member States address these issues in order to ensure an accessible, effective and impartial justice system; | 3. Underlines the clear link between rule-of-law backsliding and serious violations of fundamental and minority rights, including the excessive use of force by law enforcement, lack of due process for detainees, political or institutional incitement to hatred, disproportionate surveillance powers, including the illegal use of spyware, and restrictive measures targeting civil society organisations; firmly believes that the Commission should assess the extent to which Member States and candidate and potential candidate countries address these issues in order to ensure an accessible, effective and impartial justice system for all citizens; |
Or. en
Amendment 17
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 4a. Calls for the EU and all candidate and potential candidate countries to establish an effective collaboration framework with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in cases related to the misuse of EU funds, embezzlement and corruption; |
Or. en
Amendment 18
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 4b. Calls for the reinforcement of preventive measures against revolving-door practices in the judicial system to prevent judges and prosecutors from taking up governmental and political positions that could lead to conflicts of interest and harm the integrity and impartiality of the judicial system; |
Or. en
Amendment 19
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 5. Reiterates that corruption is a serious threat to democracy, the rule of law and fair treatment for all citizens; | 5. Reiterates that corruption is a serious threat to democracy, the rule of law and fair treatment that undermines the trust of citizens in institutions; |
Or. en
Amendment 20
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 6. Calls on the Member States, candidate countries and potential candidate countries, as well as EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, to strengthen preventive measures against corruption, including transparent management of EU funds, codes of conduct for public officials, mandatory asset declarations, conflict-of-interest rules, early warning systems and limitations on revolving-door practices; | 6. Calls on the Member States, candidate countries and potential candidate countries, as well as EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, to strengthen preventive measures against corruption, including transparent management of EU funds, codes of conduct for public officials, mandatory asset declarations, conflict-of-interest rules, early warning systems, safeguards against abuse of public facilities, assets, and vehicles for private purposes, and limitations on revolving-door practices; |
Or. en
Amendment 21
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 7. Calls on the Member States to guarantee the independence, impartiality and adequate resourcing of disciplinary boards, prosecution services, anti-corruption agencies and the judiciary; | 7. Calls on the Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries to guarantee the independence, impartiality and adequate resourcing of disciplinary boards, prosecution services, anti-corruption agencies and the judiciary; |
Or. en
Amendment 22
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 8. Stresses that the rule of law requires public officials to act transparently and in the public interest, without abuse of power or arbitrary decision-making; calls on the Member States to promote a culture of integrity through regular anti-corruption training for public officials, law enforcement and judiciary, and by actively engaging civil society in monitoring government actions; | 8. Stresses that the rule of law requires public officials to act transparently and in the public interest, without abuse of power or arbitrary decision-making; calls on the Member States to promote a culture of integrity through regular anti-corruption training for public officials, law enforcement and judiciary, and by actively engaging civil society in monitoring government actions; recalls the importance for democracy of promoting and ensuring the independence and transparency of key public bodies such as public media boards, independent regulatory bodies, constitutional and supreme courts, and public statistical and polling bodies; |
Or. en
Amendment 23
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 9. Urges the Member States to ensure prompt, thorough and impartial investigations of corruption cases, with particular priority given to cases involving high-level officials, in order to safeguard the rule of law, uphold public trust and ensure accountability at all levels of government; | 9. Urges the Member States to ensure prompt, thorough and impartial investigations of corruption cases, with particular priority given to cases involving high-level officials, executive branch members and top judicial and prosecutor positions, in order to safeguard the rule of law, uphold public trust and ensure accountability at all levels of government; |
Or. en
Amendment 24
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 13. Remains deeply concerned that media ownership, whether in public or private hands, remains highly concentrated in many Member States, posing a risk to diversity of information and viewpoints; calls on the Member States to adopt legislative frameworks to prevent horizontal concentration, ensure transparency of ownership and management, and guarantee independent oversight and compliance mechanisms to safeguard editorial and journalistic independence and the media’s role as a public watchdog; | 13. Remains deeply concerned that media ownership, whether in public or private hands, remains highly concentrated in many Member States and candidate and potential candidate countries, posing a risk to diversity of information and viewpoints; calls on the Member States to adopt legislative frameworks to prevent horizontal concentration, ensure transparency of ownership and management, and guarantee independent oversight and compliance mechanisms to safeguard editorial and journalistic independence and the media’s role as a public watchdog; |
Or. en
Amendment 25
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 14. Calls on the Member States and candidate countries to ensure the protection of journalists and other media professionals in the EU in line with Commission recommendations 2021/153446 and 2022/75847; | 14. Calls on the Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries to ensure the protection of journalists and other media professionals in the EU in line with Commission recommendations 2021/153446 and 2022/75847; |
| __________________ | __________________ |
| 46 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2021/1534 of 16 September 2021 on ensuring the protection, safety and empowerment of journalists and other media professionals in the European Union (OJ L 331, 20.9.2021, p. 8, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2021/1534/oj). | 46 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2021/1534 of 16 September 2021 on ensuring the protection, safety and empowerment of journalists and other media professionals in the European Union (OJ L 331, 20.9.2021, p. 8, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2021/1534/oj). |
| 47 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/758 of 27 April 2022 on protecting journalists and human rights defenders who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings (‘Strategic lawsuits against public participation’) (OJ L 138, 17.5.2022, p. 30, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2022/758/oj). | 47 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/758 of 27 April 2022 on protecting journalists and human rights defenders who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings (‘Strategic lawsuits against public participation’) (OJ L 138, 17.5.2022, p. 30, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2022/758/oj). |
Or. en
Amendment 26
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 15. Calls on the Member States to fully implement the Anti-SLAPP Directive48; | 15. Calls on the Member States to fully implement the Anti-SLAPP Directive48; is deeply concerned by the use of SLAPPs in some candidate and potential candidate countries, and calls on these countries to align their legislation with EU law as a priority; |
| __________________ | __________________ |
| 48 Directive (EU) 2024/1069 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings (‘Strategic lawsuits against public participation’) (OJ L, 2024/1069, 16.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1069/oj). | 48 Directive (EU) 2024/1069 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on protecting persons who engage in public participation from manifestly unfounded claims or abusive court proceedings (‘Strategic lawsuits against public participation’) (OJ L, 2024/1069, 16.4.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1069/oj). |
Or. en
Amendment 27
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 16a. Calls strongly for the EU, the Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries to intensify coordinated action against disinformation in the context of foreign interference, which surges around election time and accession milestones, and is frequently driven by Russia-aligned networks using bots, fake outlets and AI-manipulated content; stresses that these campaigns seek to erode trust in democratic institutions and the accession process; calls for strong, rights-compliant laws, genuinely independent media and digital regulators, and alignment with Digital Services Act1a standards to tackle coordinated inauthentic behaviour and illicit online influence; ______________ 1a Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act) (OJ L 277, 27.10.2022, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2065/oj). |
Or. en
Amendment 28
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 16b. Stresses the need for sustained media-literacy and civic-education efforts to build societal resilience against disinformation; |
Or. en
Amendment 29
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 17. Emphasises the crucial role played by grassroots and community organisations, trade unions, activist groups, human rights defenders and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in promoting and upholding democracy, equality, rule of law and fundamental rights, and in ensuring accountability for state and private actions; | 17. Emphasises the crucial role played by grassroots and community organisations, trade unions, business associations, activist groups, associations of judges, prosecutors and other public officials, human rights defenders and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in promoting and upholding democracy, equality, rule of law and fundamental rights, and in ensuring accountability for state and private actions; |
Or. en
Amendment 30
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 18. Condemns the unprecedented and intensified attack on civic space across the EU, with notable restrictions on the space for civil society and the right to peaceful assembly being witnessed in several Member States; strongly believes that the global trend toward democratic backsliding and the erosion of the rule of law, as well as the securitisation of agendas, have intensified restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly; urges the Member States to create a safe and enabling environment that guarantees freedom of assembly; | 18. Condemns the unprecedented and intensified attack on civic space across the EU, with notable restrictions on the space for civil society and the right to peaceful assembly being witnessed in several Member States; is equally concerned about the grave situation in some candidate and potential candidate countries; strongly believes that the global trend toward democratic backsliding and the erosion of the rule of law, as well as the securitisation of agendas, have intensified restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly; urges the Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries to create a safe and enabling environment that guarantees freedom of assembly; |
Or. en
Amendment 31
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 19. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to improve the legal environment for civil society by ensuring that any measure restricting the right of associations to seek, secure and use resources, including foreign resources, must pursue one of the legitimate aims under Article 11(2) ECHR; | 19. Calls on the Member States, the candidate and potential candidate countries, and the Commission to improve the legal environment for civil society by ensuring that any measure restricting the right of associations to seek, secure and use resources, including foreign resources, must pursue one of the legitimate aims under Article 11(2) ECHR; |
Or. en
Amendment 32
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 20. Is concerned by the growing legal and financial restrictions, smear campaigns, and criminalisation of civil society organisations and human rights defenders; stresses that reporting requirements for NGOs must not exceed those strictly necessary and proportionate to the specific aims pursued; | 20. Is concerned by the potential criminalisation of civil society organisations and human rights defenders; stresses that reporting requirements for NGOs must be clear, transparent and aimed at ensuring fair and equitable competition for funding without ideological discrimination by the EU governing bodies and the Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries; |
Or. en
Amendment 33
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 21. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to ensure the allocation of adequate financial resources for civil society organisations and human rights defenders; calls on the Member States to provide effective protection for human rights defenders, including rapid response mechanisms to threats; | 21. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to ensure the allocation of adequate financial resources for civil society organisations and human rights defenders, including in the candidate and potential candidate countries; calls on the Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries to provide effective protection for human rights defenders and all activists, including political activists, regardless of their ideology, including rapid response mechanisms to threats; |
Or. en
Amendment 34
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 23. Is deeply concerned about the discriminatory measures introduced in some Member States under the pretext of fighting ‘LGBTIQ propaganda’ and ‘gender ideology’; stresses that the Commission must act swiftly and decisively when Member States circumvent EU law, in particular the Charter; | 23. Is deeply concerned about the discriminatory measures introduced in some Member States and some candidate countries under the pretext of fighting ‘LGBTIQ propaganda’ and ‘gender ideology’; stresses that the Commission must act swiftly and decisively when Member States circumvent EU law, in particular the Charter; |
Or. en
Amendment 35
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 24. Calls on all Member States to protect LGBTIQ+ rights in compliance with EU law, the Charter, and CJEU and ECtHR case-law; recalls that legal barriers to recognising same-sex partnerships or parenthood across borders persist in several Member States, violating the principles of free movement and non-discrimination; | 24. Calls on all Member States and candidate and potential candidate countries to protect LGBTIQ+ rights in compliance with EU law, the Charter, and CJEU and ECtHR case-law; recalls that legal barriers to recognising same-sex partnerships or parenthood across borders persist in several Member States, violating the principles of free movement and non-discrimination; |
Or. en
Amendment 36
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 28. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take effective action against gender-based violence, which should be added to the list of ‘EU crimes’, and calls for an EU legislative proposal on combating rape as defined by the lack of consent; | 28. Calls on the Commission, the Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries to take effective action against gender-based violence, which should be added to the list of ‘EU crimes’, and calls for an EU legislative proposal on combating rape as defined by the lack of consent; |
Or. en
Amendment 37
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 30. Is deeply concerned about fundamental rights violations facilitated by or linked to the use of EU funds in some Member States, notably in the areas of housing and educational segregation, reception conditions for asylum seekers, the institutionalisation of persons with disabilities and of children, and certain urban regeneration initiatives; calls on the Commission to include recommendations addressing these violations in its annual rule of law report; proposes that a specific share of EU funds be earmarked for the independent monitoring of EU-funded actions, including assessments of their legal and fundamental rights impacts, as well as for legal research, strategic litigation and the independent evaluation of potential violations, with strong involvement of civil society organisations; | 30. Is deeply concerned about fundamental rights violations facilitated by or linked to the use of EU funds in some Member States and some candidate countries and potential candidate countries in many areas; calls on the Commission to include recommendations addressing these violations and cases of the embezzlement of public funds in its annual rule of law report; proposes that a specific share of EU funds be earmarked for the independent monitoring of EU-funded actions, including assessments of their legal and fundamental rights impacts, as well as for legal research, strategic litigation and the independent evaluation of potential violations; |
Or. en
Amendment 38
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 31. Insists that the measures required for the release of EU funding, as defined by the relevant decisions taken under the Common Provisions Regulation, the Recovery and Resilience Facility Regulation50 and the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation, must be assessed coherently as an integral package and that no payments should be made while deficiencies persist; believes that the Commission should take further action under the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation as regards other breaches of the rule of law, such as those related to the judiciary; | 31. Insists that the measures required for the release of EU funding, as defined by the relevant decisions taken under the Common Provisions Regulation, the Recovery and Resilience Facility Regulation50 and the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation, must be assessed coherently as an integral package and that no payments should be made while deficiencies persist; believes that the Commission should take further action under the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation as regards other breaches of the rule of law, such as those related to the judiciary or cases of public procurement; |
| __________________ | __________________ |
| 50 Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 February 2021 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility (OJ L 57, 18.2.2021, p. 17, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/241/oj). | 50 Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 February 2021 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility (OJ L 57, 18.2.2021, p. 17, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/241/oj). |
Or. en
Amendment 39
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 31a. Calls for the rule of law conditionality principle to be applied coherently across all EU spending, including external action in general, and for candidate and potential candidate countries in particular; stresses that such conditionality must be transparent, evidence-based and accompanied by effective monitoring and judicial safeguards, in line with the EU’s values; |
Or. en
Amendment 40
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 31b. Notes that, under the Commission’s proposal for the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework, the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance would be integrated into a single Global Europe instrument, intended to increase flexibility and scale up support for candidate and potential candidate countries preparing for accession; stresses, however, that this consolidation must not dilute the pre-accession purpose or weaken rule of law priorities, and therefore funding should be targeted for rule of law reforms, with spending targets and conditionality aligned with accession benchmarks; |
Or. en
Amendment 41
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 33. Acknowledges that a single market dimension has been included in the rule of law report to address rule of law issues affecting the overall economic environment, companies and workers, with the aim of ensuring that rights are defended, corruption is punished, and contracts are enforced; stresses that a functioning justice system, a strong anti-corruption framework, media pluralism, and adequate checks and balances all have an economic impact and influence the smooth functioning of the single market; proposes that in its assessment the Commission engages even more with stakeholders and civil society organisations, including trade unions; | 33. Acknowledges that a single market dimension has been included in the rule of law report to address rule of law issues affecting the overall economic environment, companies and workers, with the aim of ensuring that rights are defended, corruption is punished, and contracts are enforced; stresses that a functioning justice system, a strong anti-corruption framework, media pluralism, and adequate checks and balances all have an economic impact and influence the smooth functioning of the single market; proposes that in its assessment the Commission engages even more with stakeholders and civil society organisations, including trade unions and business associations; |
Or. en
Amendment 42
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 35. Reiterates that the values enshrined in Article 2 TEU must be respected not only by current Member States but also by future EU members during the accession process; encourages a close evaluation of the rule of law in all countries in an accession process; encourages the Commission to provide concrete recommendations to accession countries on the state of the rule of law, and to ensure alignment with the enlargement report; | 35. Reiterates that the values enshrined in Article 2 TEU must be respected not only by current Member States but also by future EU members during the accession process; stresses that the EU’s credibility in the enlargement process depends on ensuring that both the EU Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries are held to the same high standards of democracy, human rights and the rule of law; underlines that such credibility can be harmed by double standards in this field in the EU; |
Or. en
Amendment 43
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 35a. Calls for the EU and its Member States to provide robust support to candidate and potential candidate countries in pursuing their ambitious reforms in the field of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and integrating them into all their national policies; stresses that, in the majority of cases, the accession process itself is an element that encourages and promotes democratic reforms and improvements in the areas of the rule of law and institutional modernisation in the candidate and potential candidate countries; |
Or. en
Amendment 44
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 35b. Reiterates its warning against foreign interference seeking to sway the outcome of elections in the EU and in the candidate and potential candidate countries; calls for the EU to provide targeted assistance to these countries, thereby enhancing their capacity to safeguard the fundamental right of their citizens to participate in free and fair elections, protected from manipulation by foreign actors; |
Or. en
Amendment 45
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 35c. Calls on the Commission to extend the geographical scope of its rule of law reports to cover all candidate and potential candidate countries and to provide specific recommendations to accession countries on the state of the rule of law, ensuring alignment with the enlargement reports and including specific, measurable benchmarks; |
Or. en
Amendment 46
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 40. Calls on the Commission to issue recommendations that are more operational, distinguishing those relating to serious and systemic issues, and setting out concrete measures, timelines and benchmarks for their implementation by the Member States; | 40. Calls on the Commission to issue recommendations that are more operational, distinguishing those relating to serious and systemic issues, and setting out concrete measures, timelines and benchmarks for their implementation by the Member States and the candidate and potential candidate countries; |
Or. en
Amendment 47
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 9 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Enlargement, candidate and potential candidate countries |
Or. en
Amendment 48
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 41a. Welcomes the specific chapters on Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia; considers that the inclusion of the candidate and potential candidate countries in the future rule of law reports, alongside the Member States, will support these countries’ reform efforts to achieve irreversible progress on democracy and the rule of law ahead of accession, and guarantee that high standards will continue after their accession; notes that the rule of law report does not include recommendations for these accession countries; notes, furthermore, that the Commission enlargement report does offer some recommendations on the state of the rule of law in these accession countries, although not in a uniform manner; encourages the Commission to provide concrete recommendations to accession countries on the state of the rule of law and to ensure alignment with the enlargement report; calls on the Commission to extend the geographical scope of its rule of law reports to cover all candidate and potential candidate countries; |
Or. en
Amendment 49
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 43. Reiterates its call on the Commission to expand the scope of the report to cover all aspects of Article 2 TEU, and to include broader indicators, such as media independence, the role of civil society, fundamental rights, academic and artistic freedom, gender equality, the protection of minorities and vulnerable groups, respect for international law, free and fair elections, and the functioning of democratic institutions; | 43. Reiterates its call on the Commission to expand the scope of the report to cover all aspects of Article 2 TEU, and to include broader indicators, such as media and public bodies’ independence, the role of civil society, fundamental rights, academic and artistic freedom, gender equality, the protection of minorities and vulnerable groups, respect for international law, free and fair elections, and the functioning of democratic institutions; |
Or. en