MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Enlargement and the rule of law – E-001347/2025

Question for written answer  E-001347/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Sophie Wilmès (Renew)

Since 2024, some candidate countries have been included in the Commission’s annual rule of law report. Stable institutions guaranteeing democracy and the rule of law, as well as respect for and protection of those values, are prerequisites to any EU accession. Including candidate countries in the report allows us to support their efforts to reform and strengthen the rule of law.

At the same time, the Commission annually publishes enlargement reports that assess the progress made in candidate countries and their priorities. These reports appear to have a wider scope than the rule of law report.

• 1.What is the added value of including candidate countries in the rule of law report, given that they are already assessed on an annual basis in the enlargement reports?
• 2.Do the authors of the enlargement reports work with Commissioner McGrath to ensure that the reports complement each other to the best degree possible?
• 3.In the next rule of law report, expected in July, will the Commission increase the number of candidate countries analysed and include recommendations?

Submitted: 2.4.2025