About: Cooperation and Verification Mechanism
Croatia highlights its Schengen and Eurozone ambitions
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković made it clear that Croatia, the latest EU newcomer, wants to join as soon as possible the Union’s inner circles – the borderless Schengen space and the Eurozone.
Bulgaria appoints new chief prosecutor amid protests
Bulgaria appointed a new chief prosecutor on Thursday (24 October) despite months-long protests by citizens who questioned the sole nominee's professionalism, integrity and independence.
Corruption in Romania: a European affair
The situation in Romania is partly hopeful: numerous civic movements have emerged in the country and an outstanding anti-corruption movement is growing in the society, especially among the young generations, write Elena Denisa Petrescu and Yannis Karamitsios.
Romania’s Schengen perspective in jeopardy over rule of law
The European Commission said on Monday (13 May) that Romania is close to being hit with Article 7 of the EU treaties, the heaviest punishment for a member state deviating from rule of law fundamentals. Losing the chance to join the Schengen zone any time soon would be one of the consequences.
#EU2019 – Bulgaria’s Borissov says won’t resign if he loses EU elections
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, who has governed the country with small interruptions for ten years, said on Wednesday (8 May) he will not resign following the European elections. According to opinion polls, Borissov’s GERB party (EPP-affiliated) may lose to his arch-rivals, the socialists.
The Juncker Commission won’t lift the monitoring on Bulgaria
Vĕra Jourová, the EU Commissioner for justice, said on Friday (26 April) that the Juncker Commission will not lift the monitoring on Bulgaria under the so-called Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM).
Kovesi tells MEPs: I know you received negative information about me
Laura Codruţa Kövesi, the former chief of Romania’s anti-corruption agency (DNA) who is one of the three shortlisted candidates to become the EU's first-ever chief prosecutor, emerged as the favourite after a hearing in the European Parliament on Tuesday (26 February).
Romania investigates Timmermans and Jourova, Commission says they have immunity
The relations between Bucharest and Brussels hit an all-time low on Thursday (21 February) as the Romanian press reported that the Commission First Vice President Frans Timmermans and Justice Commissioner Věra Jourová are under investigation for “falsification” of the last Cooperation and Verification report (CVM).
Commission warns Romania against amnesty plans for corrupt officials
The European Commission warned Romania on Tuesday (22 January) against passing a decree that would provide an easy legal tool to overturn corruption convictions for politicians, including the strongman Liviu Dragnea, leader of the ruling PSD party.
Romanian president to try to block government pardons
Romania's centre-right President Klaus Iohannis said Tuesday (18 December) that he will invite himself to meetings of the left-wing cabinet in order to prevent it passing proposed criminal pardons that could benefit prominent politicians.
Romania slams EU ahead of taking rotating presidency
Leaders of Romania's left-wing ruling majority on Sunday (16 December) accused the European Union of "discriminatory" treatment, two weeks before the eastern European country takes over the bloc's rotating presidency.
Borissov takes pride in crushing Bulgaria’s passport-for-bribes scam
The passports-for-bribes scam may look like an embarrassment for Bulgaria, but Prime Minister Boyko Borissov turned it around on Thursday (13 December), saying he had received compliments for the way Bulgarian law enforcement had put an end to the practice.
Romania goes on anti-Brussels path over rule of law
Romania’s government is not willing to follow the EU recommendations on the rule of law and plans to challenge the Commission's latest report in court. EURACTIV Romania reports.
Commission lauds Bulgaria, castigates Romania on judicial reform
The European Commission published on Tuesday (13 November) reports on Bulgaria and Romania under the so-called Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM), commending Bulgaria for progress made and lambasting Romania for backtracking. Both countries, however, were warned to uphold media freedom.
Romanian Europe minister resigns on cusp of EU stint
Romania's Minister for European affairs Victor Negrescu has resigned just weeks before the country takes on the EU's six-month rotating presidency in January, media reported Saturday (10 November).
Bulgarian president sees democracy ‘under threat’
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev issued a stinging critique of the government's record on corruption and press freedom Friday (9 November), saying "the foundations of democracy are being threatened to a critical degree".
Thousands obtained EU citizenship for €5000 in Bulgarian scam
Bulgarian prosecutors said Monday (29 October) they have broken up a scam run by state officials which had enabled thousands of foreigners to obtain Bulgarian passports for cash -- and with them visa-free travel across the EU.
Publisher denounces pressure on few remaining free media in Bulgaria
The publisher of two Bulgarian newspapers, Ivo Prokopiev, has asked that an international prosecutor or international observers get involved in the recently launched investigations involving his businesses, Bulgarian media reported on Monday (29 October).
Jourova: EU expects Romania to manage its presidency without hiccups
Justice Commissioner Věra Jourová made it clear today (26 October) that the EU is worried about government attempts in Bucharest to violate the independence of the judiciary, also in the perspective of the upcoming Romanian EU Presidency.
Timmermans urges Romania to avoid ‘wrong’ turn in law reform
The vice-president of the European Commission Frans Timmermans urged Romania yesterday (1 March) not to "run in the wrong direction" over controversial judicial reforms.
Romanian judicial watchdog rejects bid to dismiss anti-graft chief
Romania’s judicial watchdog rejected yesterday (27 February) an application by the justice minister to sack the country's main anti-corruption prosecutor, bolstering her case days after protesters massed in the streets to support her work.
MEPs grill Romania’s government in absentia
Procedural problems prevented Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader from addressing the European Parliament's plenary session on Wednesday (7 February) and explaining the government’s current judiciary reforms, which many MEPs see as a threat to the rule of law.
Wave of murders darkens the start of Bulgaria’s EU presidency
Three grave crimes have cast a shadow over the start of the Bulgarian EU presidency and have highlighted the enormous deficiencies in the country's law enforcement, dating back to before it became a member of the EU.