Europe's foundational values of democracy and the rule of law are under significant pressure in an increasingly fractured world, challenged by global imperial and authoritarian ambitions. Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, driven by strategic corruption and state capture, continues unabated despite multiple EU sanctions.
On September 26, 2024, the Center for the Study of Democracy convened a high-level discussion addressing how the EU has responded to these threats by strengthening its rule of law and democratic resilience. The discussion explored the introduction of critical policies, including the Defence and Democracy Package, the European Economic Security Strategy, and the Anti-Corruption Package. The 2024 EU Rule of Law Report, for the first time, offers assessments and recommendations for both member states and candidate countries. As the EU prioritizes the integration of the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, the new European Commission faces the dual challenge of advancing rule of law reforms while preserving internal political unity and reinforcing its geopolitical influence.
The discussion panel featured prominent diplomats and experts, including Mr. Michael Roux, Ambassador for the Eastern Partnership and the Black Sea from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador Vincenzo Celeste, Permanent Representative of Italy to the EU. Other notable participants included Corinna Ulrich, Director of International and Horizontal Affairs at the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs; Lora Ujkaj, Anti-Corruption Coordinator at the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations; Charles Baubion, Team Lead for Foreign Interference, Anti-Corruption, and Integrity in Government at the Public Governance Directorate of the OECD; and Angelos Binis, Head of the Rule of Law Sector in the Governance and Public Administration Unit at the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support.
The panelists acknowledged the substantial challenges the EU faces in enhancing its transformative power on rule of law, especially in light of growing global power competition. However, they also agreed that Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has been a pivotal moment for Europe, spurring unprecedented unity and a renewed commitment to action. The EU’s enlargement policy has been reinvigorated with a sharpened focus on rule of law, while new policy areas—such as economic security and a defense pillar within NATO—have been developed and integrated into the EU’s core competencies.
For the first time, the EU has also taken a firm stance against China’s economic coercion tactics aimed at individual member states, further underscoring Europe’s emerging geopolitical strength.
The discussion also provided valuable insights into the evolving role of the EU in addressing these multifaceted challenges and safeguarding its democratic foundations in an increasingly volatile global environment.
