Decisions
- Commission decision repealing Decision 2006/929/EC establishing a mechanism for cooperation and verification of progress in Bulgaria to address specific benchmarks in the areas of judicial reform and the fight against corruption and organised crime
- Commission decision repealing Decision 2006/928/EC establishing a mechanism for cooperation and verification of progress in Romania to address specific benchmarks in the areas of judicial reform and the fight against corruption
What is CVM?
When they joined the EU on 1 January 2007, Romania and Bulgaria still had progress to make in the fields of judicial reform, corruption and (for Bulgaria) organised crime. The Commission set up the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) as a transitional measure to assist the two countries to remedy these shortcomings.
What was the CVM needed?
The decision to continue assessing Bulgaria and Romania after their accession to the EU showed the EU's commitment to see the two countries develop the effective administrative and judicial systems needed to deliver on the obligations of EU membership and ensure correct application of EU laws, policies and programmes.
Progress on judicial reform, corruption and organised crime will also allow helped Bulgarians and Romanians to enjoy their full rights as EU citizens.
Why did the Commission put and end to the CVM?
As set out in the CVM Decisions of 2006, the CVM is brought to an end when all the benchmarks are satisfactorily met.
Bulgaria and Romania have met all the benchmarks and fulfilled all the recommendations under the CVM. In its last reports for both Member States (Bulgaria in 2019, and Romania in 2022) the Commission concluded that they have made sufficient progress in meeting their commitments at the time of their accession to the EU and that all CVM benchmarks have been satisfactorily fulfilled.
Both countries had also made specific residual commitments , which they have fully addressed in June 2023. The CVM has thus served its purpose and time had come to close it. Consequently, on 15 September 2023, the Commission formally put an end to the CVM, by repealing the 2006 Commission Decisions that set up the CVM for Bulgaria and Romania.
The sustainability and irreversibility of reforms will continue to be monitored under the annual Rule of Law Cycle, as for all Member States.
How did the CVM work in practice?
In December 2006, the Commission adopted decisions which also set criteria ('benchmarks') for assessing progress.
The Commission's assessments and formal reports are based on careful analysis and monitoring, drawing on a continuous dialogue between the Bulgarian and Romanian authorities and the Commission services. The reports have also benefitted from contacts with other EU countries, civil society, international organisations, independent experts and a variety of other sources.
The Commission reported on progress on a regular basis. The Commission issued its first report on 27 June 2007. The reports contain the Commission's assessment and recommendations to the Bulgarian and Romanian authorities, and were complemented by a staff working document which sets out the Commission's detailed analysis against each of the benchmarks of the CVM.
Each Commission report, with its methodology and conclusions, is subsequently discussed and has always been endorsed in conclusions by the Council of Ministers.
Criteria for assessing progress
The benchmarks for Romania dealt with the effectiveness and transparency of the judicial system, key institutions in areas like integrity and the fight against corruption at all levels, and corruption prevention.
The benchmarks for Bulgaria dealt with issues such as the independence, professionalism and efficiency of the judicial system, the fight against corruption and action being taken against organised crime.