The European Commission has adopted a package on pre-enlargement policy reviews, setting out the policy orientations and actions needed to prepare the Union for future enlargements.
As announced by President von der Leyen in her 2023 State of the Union address and as mandated by the European Council, the measures proposed today prepare the Union's governance, policies and budget for enlargement, while strengthening the protection of the Union's values and the rule of law.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Europe's future depends on the choices we make today. Enlargement of our Union is a geopolitical imperative. Today, we are laying the groundwork to ensure that a larger Union is also a stronger one: more resilient, more effective, and firmly anchored in the values and rules that define us. As enlargement countries advance on their path of reform, the EU must be ready to welcome them. This means preparing our institutions, adapting our policies for new realities, and ensuring our budget reflects our shared ambitions.”
In today's package the Commission provides an in-depth assessment of our policies in light of upcoming enlargements. It sets out how the existing Treaty framework and future accession treaties can be used to prepare the Union for a larger membership.
It also proposes a set of safeguards for future accession treaties, including stronger sectoral safeguards and a new institutional safeguard clause, to ensure that commitments undertaken during accession negotiations continue to be fulfilled steadily after accession.
The package also reinforces the gradual integration process by making it more coherent, more structured and predictable. This enhanced process will further support candidate countries prepare for membership through earlier participation in selected Union policies, provided conditions are met. This can build administrative capacity, strengthen preparedness for accession and deliver tangible benefits for citizens and businesses both in the EU and in enlargement countries before membership.
Participation would remain merit-based, conditional and reversible, and depend on policy readiness and strategic alignment.
Today's package will feed into the strategic discussion among Member States on enlargement and reforms, including at the European Council in October. It will guide the work with the European Parliament and the Council on institutional and operational adjustments required for future accessions.
* More information at the link https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/ukraine/preparing-wider-union_en?s=232