The rule of law is a cornerstone of the EU’s common values, and strengthening the rule of law is therefore a key priority in the EU enlargement process. Candidate countries advance on merit. They must strengthen judicial independence, combat corruption and safeguard media pluralism. The Netherlands supports such reforms both bilaterally and within the EU framework, including through the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

Reflecting the importance the Netherlands attaches to these areas, Dutch embassies in Belgrade, Pristina, Sarajevo, Skopje and Tirana each have a dedicated rule of law policy advisor, covering rule of law developments and reforms in the Western Balkans countries and the region as a whole. The regional network also looks for opportunities to strengthen regional cooperation and Dutch contributions in this field.