We would like to have this first report on the rule of law on the table during the German presidency, Reynders told a news conference in Zagreb. Croatia currently chairs the Council of the European Union and Germany will assume the rotating presidency in the second half of 2020.
The document on the rule of law across the EU will be prepared by the department led by Commissioner Reynders in cooperation with the member-states' justice ministries, national parliaments, civil society and other stakeholders.
Also, the European Parliament and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe will be consulted during the preparation of that first report.
Commissioner Reynders called on the member-states to appoint contact persons, and the first meeting on the report is scheduled for 14 February.
The document is to give an overview of the state of affairs regarding the rule of law in EU members and the fight against corruption and media pluralism.
The ultimate goal is that countries accept recommendations which we will give them after the report, said Reynders.
He also commented that the Commission would first try to implement the recommendations through dialogue with the member-countries' authorities, after which it would resort to pressure through civil society and media if necessary.
A large number of citizens cannot see the clear connection between the judiciary and their everyday life. We must make them realise how much the judiciary is important, said Reynders, who used to be a Belgian minister of finance, defence and foreign affairs.
A judge in Croatia just as in Spain, Belgium or France is not only a judge at the national level. He is also a European judge. They are supposed to apply both the national and European laws, Reynders said, pointing out the importance of the networking of European judges and evidence sharing between the member-states.
He also announced the outlining of a document on artificial intelligence for 19 February.