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The values of human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights are embedded in the EU Treaties.

As the EU’s auditors, we also look ahead in order to help address key challenges facing the EU in future. Rivalry between autocracy and democracy is shaping the 21st century’s geostrategic landscape. The rules-based international order is under increasing pressure, and Europe is emerging as a defender of cooperative multilateralism, human rights, rule of law and democratic values. Increasingly, authoritarian states will continue to undermine fundamental democratic principles such as the rule of law and the protection of human rights.

We will keep all these factors in mind when selecting our audit tasks and formulating recommendations for the future.