Opinion: Wary EU governments hold first rights talk

EU Ministers held their first annual rule of law dialogue at the General Affairs Council on the 17 November 2015. The concept was established in December 2014.

The Council heard a presentation by the Commission on the results of its colloquium on fundamental rights 'Tolerance and respect: prevention and fight against anti-Semitism and the anti-Islam hate in Europe' held on 1 and 2 October 2015.

Ministers shared examples of best practices and challenges faced at national level in the field of rule of law, and presented the approach chosen to respond to them.

Ministers also discussed the rule of law in the digital era, on the basis of a presidency paper.

The rule of law dialogue was established in December 2014 to promote and safeguard the rule of law in the framework of the Treaties.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Meeting: General Affairs Council, 17-18 November 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/meeting-general-affairs-council-17-18-november-2015/

EurActiv, 17.12.15: Once a year, Europe will hold a 'dialogue' over the rule of law http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-priorities-2020/once-year-europe-will-hold-dialogue-over-rule-law-310894

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