Justice, fight against corruption, media freedom, balance of power.
On these issues the discussion at a technical level between European
Union
and
government
officials as part of the preparatory work of
the EU Commission's annual report on the rule of law
.
Sources at Palazzo Chigi recall that this is an event that has been planned for some time and that it will take place every year from 2020 (the date on which this exercise was established) as part of an activity that involves all twenty-seven member states without distinction: "How in all other sectors, also in this financial year the collaboration between Italy and the European Commission develops in a completely positive and constructive climate", it is explained.
The newspaper La Repubblica reported this morning on the confrontation with the EU.
And "in relation to some news that appeared in the press today regarding today's activity of the European Commission on the application of the rule of law in Italy", sources at Palazzo Chigi reported that "no inspection or visit by officials of the European Commission in Italy but
a short meeting at a technical level
via videoconference".
"
Similar meetings are held by the European Commission at this time of the year in all member states
- explain sources from Palazzo Chigi -. The topics under analysis are the same for everyone and concern justice, the fight against corruption, the freedom of media and the balance between powers".
As the same sources report, "today's talks between some officials of the European Commission and those of some Italian administrations are short-lived and aimed at an update with respect to the observations already highlighted by the Commission in its reports of previous years and, most recently in 2023. Today's talks are absolutely normal and are aimed at the European Commission's preparation of the 2024 report which will be published in the coming months and which will contain 27 chapters dedicated to the rule of law in each of the member countries".
From Brussels, meanwhile,
a spokesperson for the European Commission
specified that "
there is no investigation or inspection in Italy today
, only a virtual meeting with our counterparts given that we are in the phase in which we prepare the annual report on the rule of law in all 27 EU countries".
The exchange takes place online.
The procedure for compiling the report involves the delivery of a questionnaire to the Member States and then a meeting with the Commission's technicians.
"In the context of the annual report on the rule of law - continues the spokesperson - we have many meetings with representatives of the 27 governments, with stakeholders and with NGOs.
What we call a virtual visit is precisely the meeting with national authorities and have a discussion based on the questionnaire sent to each country, which then involves a follow-up
."
"As far as Italy is concerned, the meeting began this morning, at a technical level, in which we have normal and detailed exchanges with the counterparts, in preparation of the report on the rule of law, nothing more".
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA