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On 17 May 2023, the Commission put forward proposals for the most ambitious and comprehensive reform of the EU Customs Union since its establishment in 1968. The aim is that simplify customs processes and make them smarter and safer, including by means of an increased use of Artificial Intelligence, a new EU database and a new EU Customs Authority.

On 15 September 2023, the European Commission formally closed the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) for Bulgaria and Romania. The Commission concluded that all benchmarks had been satisfactorily met by both Member States.

On 11 May 2023, the ECJ ruled on the compatibility of the Romanian reform of the organisation of the judiciary that rearranged the Judicial Inspectorate and led to a concentration of powers in the hands of the Chief Inspector. The case (C-817/21, Inspecţia Judiciară …

This news item continues the overview of rule-of-law developments in Poland (as far as they relate to European law) from 1 May to 31 October 2023. They follow up the overview in → eucrim 1/2023, 4-5.

On 7 September 2023, the ECJ ruled on the scope of Directives 2012/13 on the right to information in criminal proceedings and (EU) 2013/48 on the right of access to a lawyer in criminal proceedings when persons are subjected to a strip search for drug possession and the seizure of illegal substances or assets.

In a judgment of 25 May 2023, the ECJ clarified the applicability of Directive 2012/13 on the right to information in criminal proceedings as well as the modalities, timing and the level of detail of information, which must be given to suspects. The case concerned a reference for a preliminary ruling by the Sofia District Court, Bulgaria.

On 1 November 2023, amendments to the European Parliament's Rules of Procedure entered into force. The amendments strengthen integrity, transparency and accountability in the European Parliament (EP) as a response to the Quatargate corruption scandal. They were decided in plenary on 13 September 2023 and …

On 20 September 2023, the EU network against corruption met for the first time. It was established by the EU's anti-corruption package of 3 May 2023. Participants inter alia discussed good practices and trends identified in the 2023 Rule of Law report, such as fight against corruption in seaports, use of technology for prevention and repression of corruption, and education and awareness-raising.

In September 2023, the German Federal Law Society and the German Bar Association criticised the Commission's draft for a directive on combating corruption. Accordingly, the draft disregards the principles of proportionality and subsidiarity and extends civil law obligations into the area of criminal law.

As part of an anti-corruption package presented on 3 May 2023, the Commission tabled a proposal for a new directive on combating corruption. It aims to update and harmonise EU rules on definitions and penalties for corruption offences to ensure high standards against the full range of corruption crimes. It also provides also for preventive measures against corruption.