“Enlargement … remains a geopolitical imperative. Accession, however, takes time,” reads a draft version of the pre-enlargement review text seen by POLITICO. “Candidate countries must complete a rigorous, merit-based process and deliver far-reaching and lasting reforms. That time should be put to full strategic use to both prepare the Union for larger membership and deepen gradual integration in areas of mutual interest.”
As part of that review, von der Leyen and Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos will propose changes to the bloc’s internal workings to ensure safeguards are in place to prevent new joiners from disrupting key policies or reneging on their commitments. The revisions could include emergency clauses and transition periods before certain membership rights are fully granted.
“The policy reviews show that the Union can accommodate a larger membership through targeted adaptations, largely within the existing Treaty framework,” the draft reads, arguing that the EU’s fundamental laws don’t need to change to assuage concerns about enlargement.
Capitals are cautious about admitting new members, some of which have had only a few decades of democratic governance, following Hungary’s backsliding on rule-of-law principles under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and its use of veto powers to block key policies like sanctions on Russia and support for Ukraine. The support of current members must be unanimous for candidate countries to move through the process of joining the EU.
National leaders will weigh in on how, and how fast, new members can be brought in during a two-day summit in Brussels from Oct. 15; in turn, the Commission will ask them for political support to pick up the pace. The European Council will hold “a strategic discussion on enlargement and internal reforms,” a draft agenda shows.
Kos told POLITICO earlier this month that she hopes the changes being proposed, and the talks with leaders, will make for an “autumn of enlargement” after years of slower progress.
Von der Leyen travels to the Western Balkans this week for talks with leaders in Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo. She will skip Bosnia and Herzegovina, however, as well as Serbia, both of which are in the midst of national elections.