International newsletter of the HATVP – July – August 2025
IN SUMMARY
July was marked by the publication by the European Commission of the 2025 edition of the sixth annual 2025 Rule of Law Report in the European Union, which examines developments of the Rule of Law across all Member States.
During the same period, the Eurobarometer survey analysing Europeans’ perceptions of corruption, as well as three reports adopted by Members of the European Parliament concerning Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia, were also published.
In August, the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) adopted a fifth evaluation report for Germany.
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
European Commission
On 8 July 2025, the European Commission published its sixth annual Rule of Law Report, which examines developments in the rule of law across all Member States. This report analyses the situation at the EU level before providing a country-by-country analysis, examining developments since July 2024. It also includes developments specifically concerning Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, highlighting the progress made by these countries in their respective accession processes.
The report highlights respect for the Rule of Law as an essential element for implementing policies that promote competitiveness through the Single Market. It confirms that there is a positive trajectory in many Member States, given the reforms undertaken in the four key areas covered by the report: the justice system, the anti-corruption framework, media pluralism and freedom, and other institutional issues related to checks and balances.
However, challenges remain in some Member States, such as the adoption of measures to strengthen preventive frameworks, such as those governing lobbying and conflicts of interest. In candidate countries, the politicization of the media remains a major problem. (European Commission, 8 July 2025)
The Eurobarometer survey conducted in January-February 2025 and published in July 2025 reveals that 69% of Europeans believe that corruption is widespread in their country. Greece stands out with a 97% opinion rate, followed by Croatia (92%) and Portugal (91%). In contrast, Finland and Denmark have the lowest rates, with 21% and 28% of respondents, respectively, believing corruption to be pervasive. The most notable increases were reported in Luxembourg and Ireland, with increases of nine and six points, respectively.
Two-thirds of EU citizens believe that high-level corruption cases are not pursued sufficiently in their country. Furthermore, more than half of citizens believe that governments’ efforts to combat corruption are insufficient. Finally, nearly half of Europeans also believe that anti-corruption measures are applied impartially. (Eurobarometer, July 2025)
European Parliament
On 9 July 2025, the European Parliament adopted three reports on Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia. MEPs emphasized the need to intensify reforms before these countries join the EU.
Regarding Albania, MEPs welcomed the country’s aim to complete accession talks by 2027 and the progress already made in this regard, but stressed the need to intensify reforms. Key priorities include strengthening judicial independence, combating corruption and organised crime, and protecting fundamental rights. MEPs also consider it essential to strengthen media pluralism and transparency in order to build public trust.
Regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina, MEPs welcomed the European Council’s decision to open accession negotiations and called for the implementation of constitutional and electoral reforms. The report stresses concerns about malign foreign interference and disinformation campaigns, which undermine public trust in the EU.
Regarding North Macedonia, MEPs welcome the new €750 million « Reform and Growth Facility » and stress the importance of its focus on the effective implementation of reforms, particularly in public administration, governance, the rule of law, and anti-corruption policies. (European Parliament, 9 July 2025)
On 26 August 2025, the European Parliament sent a letter to lobbyists setting out new rules regarding access to its premises. Access to the buildings during « white weeks » [when no parliamentary activity is taking place, particularly in August and during the Christmas and New Year holidays] will now only be possible for lobbyists by invitation. A written invitation will also be required from lobbyists wishing to access buildings not hosting political activities and areas where MEPs’ offices are located. These same rules, applicable from 1 September 2025, also apply to diplomats and journalists. (Context, 29 August 2025)
European Ombudsman
On 15 July 2025, Ombudswoman Teresa Anjinho welcomed the European Commission’s efforts, following the results of the investigation published in December 2024, to strengthen the integrity and conflict of interest management rules applicable to external experts evaluating European Defence Fund (EDF) projects.
Expert candidates must provide a list of their family members with links to the defence industry and describe their direct financial investments in defence companies. The Commission will assess the risks of conflicts of interest from the outset of the selection process. It will also maintain a structured record of any assessments and decisions it makes on these matters. Other steps include enhancing the IT tool for managing the evaluation of EDF proposals so that it can automatically search for potential conflicts of interest details, beyond the information already given by the experts themselves. (European Ombudsman, 15 July 2025)
European Ombudswoman Teresa Anjinho has launched an inquiry into how EU handle revolving doors when public officials move to related work in the private sector. The Ombudswoman’s investigation focuses primarily on individuals whose work involves significant contact with the private sector. The European Ombudswoman has asked a selected 15 agencies to provide a list of recent revolving door cases concerning members of management boards and senior staff. She has also requested information on revolving doors movement policies in place, as well as the criteria and guidelines used to assess these situations. In addition, the Ombudswoman has asked the EU Agencies Network (EUAN) to inform agencies that were not directly contacted to proactively submit any information that may be relevant to the inquiry. (European Ombudsman, 18 July 2025)
On 18 July 2025, the European Ombudswoman welcomed the European Commission’s constructive engagement to ensure that staff work trips, paid for by third parties, do not give rise to conflicts of interest. The Commission has agreed to record the nature and value of third parties paying for staff work trips and the costs borne by them, as well as its assessments of potential and perceived conflicts of interest. The requirement to record this information is included in new guidance for Commission staff and in the dedicated IT tool used for planning work travel. (European Ombudsman, 18 July 2025)
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
European Council
On 8 August 2025, GRECO published its 5th round evaluation report on preventing corruption and promoting integrity in central government (top executive functions) and law enforcement agencies in Germany. GRECO concludes that Germany has satisfactorily implemented four of the 14 recommendations set out in the 2020 Evaluation Report. Six recommendations have been partly implemented and four have not been implemented. With regard to top executive functions, GRECO notes some progress overall, notably with the reform of the lobbying register and the strengthening rules on post-employment restrictions for state secretaries and general directors. However, tangible and robust actions are required to monitor the respect of the integrity standards applicable to persons with top executive functions. With regard to law enforcement agencies, GRECO welcomes the adoption of a code of conduct tailored to the specific needs of the Federal Police and the entry into force of the law on the protection of whistle-blowers. (Council of Europe, 8 August 2025)
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
The OECD published a report on confiscation measures and sanctions in corruption cases in Kazakhstan on 28 July 2025. This report analyses the implementation of confiscation orders in corruption cases in Kazakhstan between 2021 and 2023. It recommends reforming Kazakhstan’s confiscation framework to strengthen the fight against corruption. Key recommendations include a shift from the current hybrid model to a stronger and clearer legal structure, focusing on the confiscation of instruments, proceeds of crime, as distinct from material evidence. (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 28 July 2025)
EUROPE
France
The implementing decree of Law No. 2024-850 of 25 July 2024, aimed at preventing foreign interference in France, dated 31 July 2025, was published in the Official Journal on 1 August 2025. The public digital register listing legal entities or individuals acting on behalf of “foreign powers” is placed under the authority of the High Authority for transparency in public life. The decree specifies the information in the register that will be made public, the conditions under which the High Authority may carry out documentary and on-site checks, and details the procedure applicable to the exercise of the power of penalty entrusted to the High Authority. (HATVP, 1 August 2025)
Ukraine
On 31 July 2025, the Ukrainian parliament approved by a large majority a bill restoring the independence of anti-corruption bodies. This text reverses the law passed on 22 July 2025, which provided for placing the National Anti-Corruption Agency (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) directly under the supervision of the Prosecutor General, himself appointed by the head of state. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos had expressed her concern, denouncing a setback in the fight against corruption in the country and warned of the essential role of both bodies in the context of the country’s candidacy for EU membership. (Toute l’europe, 1 August 2025)