Annual report of the European Commission on the rule of law: Slovenia achieves significant progress

SLOVENIA, July 8 - Slovenia will continue to actively build an open, democratic and inclusive legal order based on respect for the rule of law, human rights and the independence of institutions, and will remain committed to the fundamental values of the European Union.

Among the key achievements in justice, the fight against corruption, freedom of the media and strengthening of the rule of law on an institutional level, the report highlights the following:

• The recommendation to finalise the legislative process to amend the rules on parliamentary inquiries, so as to include adequate safeguards for independence of judges and state prosecutors in line with European standards on judicial independence, has been fully implemented;
• Significant progress has been made on taking further measures to ensure that the reform of judicial appointments contains adequate safeguards for judicial independence;
• The recommendation to increase the remuneration of judges and state prosecutors in line with European standards on resources and remuneration for the justice system has been fully implemented;
• The recommendation to complete the adoption of the new anti-corruption strategy and action plan and to begin implementation, as well as further progress on taking measures to ensure a track record of investigations, prosecutions and final judgments in corruption offences, including high-level cases, has been fully implemented;
• Some further progress has been made on the recommendation to adopt legislative and non-legislative safeguards to improve the protection of journalists, particularly online;
• Some progress has been made in ensuring that rules or mechanisms are in place to provide funding for public service media that is appropriate for the realisation of its public service remit while guaranteeing their independence.

The Commission recommends adopting additional measures to improve the traceability of investigations, prosecutions and final judgments in corruption cases. Furthermore, it calls for progress in the adoption of legislative and non-legislative measures to improve the protection of journalists, in line with European standards. In addition, it recommends completing reforms aimed at putting in place clear rules or mechanisms to provide funding for public service media, enabling them to fulfil their public mission and maintain their independence.

For the first time, the Commission has included an evaluation of the internal market in the context of the rule of law in its annual report. This further confirms that a stable legal framework constitutes the basis for equal economic cooperation within the European Union. Slovenia welcomes the enhanced report and supports the integrated approach to safeguarding common European interests.

This year's report again includes four candidate countries with advanced status – Albania, Montenegro, the Republic of North Macedonia, and Serbia – within the common framework of the rule of law overview. Slovenia considers this an important step towards stronger alignment of the region with European standards and a clear signal of the commitment to the enlargement process in the Western Balkans.

As coordinator, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs will work with the relevant ministries to formulate a response to this year's findings and recommendations of the Commission. The timely and efficient implementation of the recommendations remains a key task for the Government.