EU reformats enlargement: Gradual integration and stronger rules for new members
The European Union is considering a new approach to enlargement, aiming to accelerate the integration of candidate countries and avoid the deadlocks that have characterized the process over the years.
European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, presented in Zagreb some of the European Commission's main ideas for reviewing enlargement policy, describing the current moment as a "new Helsinki Moment" for Europe.
According to Kos, the reform process should focus on four main directions: internal EU reforms, strengthening democratic protections, gradual integration of candidate countries, and transitional measures for new members.
She stressed that the EU should be able to function even with more than 30 member states and that some institutional changes can be achieved without revising the Union's treaties.
Another important element is the shift from an “all or nothing” logic to a gradual integration, offering candidate countries concrete benefits even before full membership. Kos cited participation in SEPA and connection to European energy networks as examples.
The Commissioner also called for stronger protections for democracy and the rule of law, so that EU standards are not undermined even after accession.
In this context, Kos assessed the progress of the candidate countries, highlighting Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine and Moldova, while also highlighting the resumption of the membership process by Iceland.
The Commission's proposals are expected to be further discussed ahead of the EU leaders' meeting in October, where enlargement is expected to be one of the main issues on the European agenda.
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