The EU has been unsuccessful in its efforts to promote rule-of-law reforms in the Western Balkans, the EU’s auditors said in their latest report. The bloc spent about €700 million between 2014 and 2020 to help WB countries make headway on reforms in areas such as independence of the judiciary and fundamental freedoms, but the report concludes that this investment has had little impact on the region. The auditors also noted that “the EU’s in-country support for civil society action on the rule of law is insufficient” and raised concerns that EU-backed projects may not be financially sustainable after European support ends, recommending that the EC and EEAS boost support for independent civil society and journalists in the region, and reinforce the principle of conditionality. Read more here.
Source: Politico/ECA
