🔗 Share this article EU Set to Announce Candidate Country Ratings Today EU authorities plan to publish assessment reports for candidate countries this afternoon, measuring the advancements these countries have achieved in their efforts to join the union. Major Presentations from EU Leadership Observers expect statements from the union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, together with the membership commissioner, Marta Kos, in the midday hours. Various important matters will come under scrutiny, covering the European Commission's analysis of the deteriorating situation in Georgia, reform efforts in Ukraine while Russian military actions persist, plus evaluations concerning Balkan region countries, including Serbia, which experiences ongoing demonstrations opposing the current Serbian government. Brussels' rating system represents a crucial step toward accession for candidate countries. Further Brussels Meetings In addition to these revelations, interest will center around Brussels' security commissioner Andrius Kubilius's meeting with the NATO chief Mark Rutte at EU headquarters regarding military modernization. Further developments are expected from the Netherlands, Prague's government, Germany, plus additional EU countries. Watchdog Group Report Regarding the assessment procedures, the civil rights organization Liberties has made public its evaluation concerning Brussels' distinct annual rule of law report. Via a thoroughly negative assessment, the review determined that Brussels' evaluation in important domains proved more limited compared to earlier assessments, with significant issues neglected and no consequences for failure to implement suggestions. The analysis specified that Hungary emerges as notably troublesome, holding the greatest quantity of recommendations demonstrating ongoing lack of advancement, emphasizing fundamental administrative problems and opposition to European supervision. Other nations demonstrating significant lack of progress include Italy, Bulgaria, Ireland, and Germany, each maintaining multiple suggested improvements that continue unfulfilled over the past three years. General compliance percentages demonstrated reduction, with the percentage of measures entirely executed falling from 11% two years ago to 6% in both 2024 and 2025. The group cautioned that absent immediate measures, they fear the backsliding will escalate and transformations will grow continually more challenging to change. The thorough analysis emphasizes continuing difficulties regarding candidate integration and judicial principle adoption across European territories.