The European Parliament calls for resolute preparations for EU expansion

In the EP resolution, it emphasizes that preparation for EU expansion must take place both in the EU states and in the candidate countries. MEPs call for strengthening the protection of the rule of law and the EU’s democratic values ​​ once morest regression in both new and existing states, ensuring that EU enlargement strengthens the Union.

They are convinced that in order to make the EU more effective, it is necessary to review its decision-making and to abandon unanimity voting. MEPs note that in order to improve the balance between larger and smaller states and to set higher thresholds for the most important decisions, the procedure for calculating the thresholds for qualified majority votes should also be revised. The flexibility currently provided for in the EU Treaties, such as stronger cooperation or constructive abstention, should not stand in the way of constructive debate on the revision of the Treaties presented by Parliament last year. In addition, when revising the composition of the Commission or the European Parliament, it is necessary to take into account the expansion of the EU, I think MEPs.

They call on the EU to set specific individual reform targets, action guidelines and interim deadlines for each country seeking membership. However, it is necessary to avoid accelerated or early deadlines, as they might affect the integrity of the admissions process. States showing great progress in reforms must be gradually integrated into the EU single market, say MEPs. They also recognize that EU enlargement is a huge financial challenge for the Union due to cohesion and agricultural policies, but at the same time it is an opportunity to reform the aforementioned policy areas.

EP speaker Petras Auštrevičius (“Renew Europe”) noted: “The expansion of the EU is a historic opportunity to create a united, safe and peaceful Europe. It is high time to speed up the EU accession negotiations with the candidate countries. EU enlargement and institutional and decision-making reforms must go hand in hand and strengthen the EU and fulfill the promises made to candidate countries.”

Another EP rapporteur, Pedro Silva Pereira (Socialists and Democrats, Portugal) added: “The political message of the European Parliament is clear: for enlargement to be possible without major reforms in the candidate countries, we need institutional and financial reforms at European level. Otherwise, the EU will not be ready to accept new members. An enlarged EU of 35 or more states cannot operate under the current rules for 27 states. If we want to take development seriously, we must recognize that European reforms and creative solutions are needed, as differentiated integration must be compatible with the EU’s institutional structure.”

305 MEPs supported the EP resolution on strengthening EU integration in view of future enlargement, 157 opposed and 71 abstained.