Jourová says no more obstacles for Bulgaria, Romania Schengen accession https://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/jourova-says-no-more-obstacles-for-bulgaria-romania-schengen-accession/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #Austria #Bulgaria #Bulgarianelections #CVM #DidierReynders

4 years have passed since I last wrote for euinside. During that break, many people asked me what will happen to euinside, will we shut it down or what future for it. Well, It's my legacy, so I can't imagine shutting it down, but it will no longer be what it was. Now I will use it to write in-depth analyses on topics of interest and expertise. So, here's the 1st. A legal analysis of the CVM

#RuleOfLaw #RuleOfLawConditionality #Bulgaria #Romania #CVM

https://euinside.eu/en/analyses/the-end-of-the-cvm-the-mechanism-nobody-wanted-but-which-the-cjeu-made-a-powerful-tool-of

🙏 🇧🇬 #Justice Minister @KrumZarkov for discussion and the efforts to pursue the judicial reform.
The timely adoption of the laws is important for:
🔹final closure of the Cooperation & Verification Mechanism #CVM
🔹fulfilling Recovery plan milestones #RRP
🔹 #RuleOfLaw report

🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/VeraJourova/status/1623665765151907846

A very very important investigation by the European Court of Auditors. It has been really absurd that the Commission hasn't triggered neither the rule of law conditionality nor has blocked recovery funds for Bulgaria and Romania. It is applying the rule of law framework only selectively, it seems. Looking forward to see the outcome of the investigation

#RuleOfLaw #RuleOfLawConditionality #EUbudgetProtection #CVM

https://euobserver.com/rule-of-law/156630

Why does the Commission keep claiming the CVM is closed, since there is a negative opinion on its proposal to close it by the European Parliament and the Council is unable yet to hammer a position. Legally speaking, the CVM is still good law?

#CVM #Bulgaria #Romania #Schengen #RuleOfLaw

Just now the @EU_Commission adopted its #CVM report on Romania: Benchmarks under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism are satisfactorily met. All details here 👇https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_7029/smo @VeraJourova

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/ChristianWigand/status/1595078180334981121

Since the accession, the Commission has worked with Romania under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism #CVM to advance reforms in judiciary & fight against corruption.

I am pleased that today’s report concludes that 🇷🇴 has satisfactorily met the CVM benchmarks. (1/2)

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/VeraJourova/status/1595088440106049538

Zooming out to the more general rule of law situation in the EU, the Commission's poor enforcement record becomes even more visible. This has resulted in MS becoming more active in using tools at their disposal to enforce EU law. The Dutch Parliament (Tweede Kamer) resolution, urging the Dutch government to ensure BG & ROM are indeed ready is a good case in point. It shows a diminishing trust in the Com as an objective arbiter, whose assessment can be trusted

#Schengen #CVM #Bulgaria #Romania

In addition, yesterday, Commissioner Yohansson said both BG & ROM made progress under the #CVM. This statement raises the question how does she know since the Commission has observed the rule of law in #Bulgaria through the rule of law mechanism, not the CVM. Btw, the issue of organised crime is not problematic only for the Netherlands but also for Sweden. It is covered by benchmark No. 6 of the CVM for Bulgaria. To be continued

The Commission recommended in 2019 closing the #CVM for #Bulgaria but, even though it has to wait for the Council and the EP to give their answer, the Commission stopped monitoring #Bulgaria & significantly reduced reporting on #Romania. EP gave a negative opinion, while there is no agreement in the Council yet. Moreover, a few MS called on the Commission to continue working on the CVM. Now the Commission is trying to convince these countries that BG & ROM are ready. To be continued

There is a big problem with #Schengen enlargement and the potential veto by a few MS, the Netherlands included, is the least of them. The biggest problem is enforcement by the Commission, especially under the #CVM for #Bulgaria & #Romania, but in other areas as well. Even though it can be argued that the CVM cannot be a pre-condition for Schengen accession, it was raised as an issue in the Council. However, the Commission created a legal vacuum by not implementing it. To be continued

The fact that the Commission hasn't consulted with Hungarian NGOs, especially those working in the area of fight against corruption, is particularly concerning. It's been a long-standing practice in preparing enlargement reports but also #CVM reports to consult with civil society groups on the ground. This adds significant concern to VDL Commission's practices regarding safeguarding the rule of law
#Hungary #corruption #EUbudgetProtection #VDL
https://www.politico.eu/article/viktor-orban-hungary-europe-dont-fall-for-promises-eu-gets-warning-as-funding-deal-nears/?utm_source=POLITICO.EU&utm_campaign=42c4a1fcfd-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_11_10_05_31&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_10959edeb5-42c4a1fcfd-188945205

RT @VeraJourova: Honoured to discuss w/ 🇷🇴 Parliament #justice reforms, media freedom & democracy. For me to propose to close the #CVM I will need to be convinced of the reforms in place. I see momentum & encourage RO commitment across political parties to meet CVM objectives and advance reform.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/ChristianWigand/status/1541755936473317377

RT @VeraJourova: Good and detailed discussion with 🇷🇴 Justice Minister @CatalinPredoiu on #justice reforms. I came here to support reforms. Now it’s time to deliver on #CVM objectives, glad to see strong commitment. 👉 https://www.just.ro/visit-of-ms-vera-jourova-vice-president-of-the-european-commission-in-the-context-of-the-dialogue-on-the-rule-of-law-between-the-commission-and-eu-member-states/

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/ChristianWigand/status/1541707178125443072

.@VeraJourova: Sunt onorată să discut cu Parlamentul României 🇷🇴 despre reformele justiției, libertatea presei și democrație. Pentru a propune închiderea MCV, va trebui să fiu convinsă de reformele în vigoare.
RT @VeraJourova: Honoured to discuss w/ 🇷🇴 Parliament #justice reforms, media freedom & democracy. For me to propose to close the #CVM I will need to be convinced of the reforms in place. I see momentum & encourage RO commitme…

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/RCERomania/status/1541744480881082368

.@VeraJourova: „Am avut o discuție utilă și detaliată cu Ministrul Justiției, Cătălin Predoiu, pe tema reformelor în domeniul justiției. Am venit aici pentru a sprijini reformele."
RT @VeraJourova: Good and detailed discussion with 🇷🇴 Justice Minister @CatalinPredoiu on #justice reforms. I came here to support reforms. Now it’s time to deliver on #CVM objectives, glad to see strong commitment. 👉 https://www.just.ro/visit-of-ms-vera-…

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/RCERomania/status/1541723027829833728

.@VeraJourova: „Mă bucur să observ angajamentul Prim-ministrului Nicolae Ciucă 🇷🇴 de a conduce o abordare guvernamentală comună pentru a da curs recomandărilor MCV și pentru a înregistra progrese în ceea ce privește reformele judiciare."
RT @VeraJourova: Good to see commitment from 🇷🇴 Prime Minister @NicolaeCiuca to lead on a whole government approach to address #CVM recommendations and advance on judicial reforms.
I thanked the P…

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/RCERomania/status/1541685412032299008

Honoured to discuss w/ 🇷🇴 Parliament #justice reforms, media freedom & democracy. For me to propose to close the #CVM I will need to be convinced of the reforms in place. I see momentum & encourage RO commitment across political parties to meet CVM objectives and advance reform.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/VeraJourova/status/1541709618715435009

Good and detailed discussion with 🇷🇴 Justice Minister @CatalinPredoiu on #justice reforms. I came here to support reforms. Now it’s time to deliver on #CVM objectives, glad to see strong commitment. 👉 https://www.just.ro/visit-of-ms-vera-jourova-vice-president-of-the-european-commission-in-the-context-of-the-dialogue-on-the-rule-of-law-between-the-commission-and-eu-member-states/

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/VeraJourova/status/1541707051839234049

Good to see commitment from 🇷🇴 Prime Minister @NicolaeCiuca to lead on a whole government approach to address #CVM recommendations and advance on judicial reforms.
I thanked the Prime Minister 
for great solidarity with 🇺🇦 people.

🐦🔗: https://nitter.eu/VeraJourova/status/1541479960677941249