The economic dimension of the Rule of Law

Key points

The EESC:

• Stresses that respect for and enforcement of fundamental rights and the rule of law are key elements in mutual trust between Member States. Investment and trade within the internal market can only work if all economic operators abide by the law and can rely on structures and behaviour by public authorities that respect the rule of law. Respect for the rule of law is therefore also a key prerequisite for economic activity, and thus a factor in a location’s attractiveness to businesses. Protectionist measures that treat domestic companies more favourably than those from EU countries go against the principle of equal treatment.
• Advocates the inclusion of a fifth pillar in the European Commission’s Rule of Law Report, as the economic dimension of the rule of law is not adequately reflected in the European Commission’s Rule of Law Report.
• Notes that existing European Commission instruments for dealing with internal market infringements should be speeded up and greater use should be made of EU Pilot procedures. A strong and independent judiciary, well-resourced public services, and bodies for monitoring and reporting all breaches of the law are the only way of guaranteeing effective legal protection, and are therefore fundamentally important for the rule of law.