EU towards enlargement reform: Gradual integration for candidate countries and stricter controls

The European Union is preparing for a profound reform of its enlargement policy, which could enable candidate countries to gradually integrate into European structures even before full membership, while at the same time strengthening controls over democracy and the rule of law.

European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, stated on Tuesday in Zagreb that the world has changed and that the European Union's enlargement process must change along with it.

She has heralded a new moment for enlargement policy, which she compared to the “Helsinki Moment” of the 1990s, which preceded the EU’s major enlargement after the end of the Cold War.

According to Kos, the European Commission is preparing a new proposal for the functioning of a European Union with more than 30 member states.

One of the main changes Brussels is considering is moving away from the traditional model, according to which candidate countries must wait for full membership to benefit from integration into European structures.

The new model would enable the gradual integration of candidate countries in various areas of the European Union, before they become full members.

Kos cited as examples the benefits that some candidate countries can already receive, including participation in the SEPA area and connection to the European Union's energy networks.

"A more structured approach is needed to overcome the time we no longer have," she stated.

According to the European Commissioner, membership processes that last for decades can leave candidate countries exposed to the influence and political pressure of the European Union's rivals.

Brussels wants stronger controls for new members

Another key element of the reform relates to strengthening mechanisms that would prevent a return to democracy and the rule of law after a country becomes an EU member.

Kos has warned that the European Union should not allow what she has called "Trojan horses" within the Union, referring to the possibility of a state meeting membership criteria but then departing from democratic standards.

However, this idea could open up debate within the EU, as imposing special controls on new countries could create the perception that they are treated as second-class members.

Less chance of veto

The enlargement reform is also expected to affect the way decisions are made within the European Union itself.

According to Kos, some of the changes could be implemented without the need to amend the EU treaties, avoiding lengthy negotiations and complicated ratification processes by member states.

One of the objectives is to create a more flexible decision-making system, with less opportunity for a single state to block decisions of the entire Union.

Also being considered is the possibility of creating smaller and more functional institutions for an EU that could expand significantly in the coming years.

Montenegro and Albania among the countries mentioned

The European Commissioner has singled out Montenegro as the most advanced candidate country in the accession process.

She also mentioned Albania's progress, particularly in the area of ​​the rule of law, as well as the technical advances of Ukraine and Moldova on their path towards the European Union.

Iceland, which has voted to resume the EU membership process, was also mentioned in her statements.

The review of enlargement policy comes at a new geopolitical period for Europe, where the war in Ukraine has significantly increased the European Union's need to strengthen political, economic and security ties with candidate countries.

In this context, Ukraine's accession process is seen as one of the factors that has pushed Brussels to reconsider the current enlargement model.

Marta Kos's message is that the EU must change itself if it wants to expand.

Instead of candidate countries waiting years or decades for full membership, Brussels is considering a new model of gradual integration, where benefits from the European Union could come step by step, while standards for democracy, the rule of law and respect for European values ​​would remain stricter than before.

The GeoPost