What changed

MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

P9_TA(2024)0120

on deepeningDeepening EU integration in view of future enlargement

(2023/2114(INI))

Committee on Foreign Affairs, Committee on Constitutional Affairs

PE752.948

European Parliament resolution of 29 February 2024 on deepening EU integration in view of future enlargement (2023/2114(INI))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the Treaty on European Union (TEU), in particular its Articles 5(3), 48 and 49,

– having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU),Union,

– having regard the Council conclusions of December 2006, March 2020 and to the Presidency Conclusions of the European Council in Copenhagen of 21-22 June 1993, also known as the Copenhagen Criteria,

– having regard to the Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 September 2021 establishing the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III),

– having regard to the European Economic and Social Committee’s opinion of 10 July 2014 on enhancing the transparency and inclusiveness of the EU accession process ,process,

– having regard to its resolutions of 16 February 2017 on improving the functioning of the European Union building on the potential of the Lisbon Treaty, and of 11 July 2023 on the implementation of the passerelle clauses in the EU Treaties,

9. Insists on the need for continuous efforts to foster media pluralism, defend the rights of journalists and ensure freedom of expression in all candidate countries;

10. Points out that alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy (CFSP)CFSP is also an essential indicator of full adherence to the EU’s fundamental principles and sustainable future membership; urges all candidate and potential candidate countries to prioritise a swift and full alignment with the CFSP and reiterates that accession of a given country can proceed only once it aligns with the EU’s restrictive measures, including sanctions put in place in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine;

11. Calls for the EU’s enlargement strategy to be thoroughly evaluated and for the reasons for the limited progress made by some enlargement countries to be assessed, particularly in the areas of the rule of law, human rights and democracy;

47. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and the governments and parliaments of the accession countries.

23.1.2024

MINORITY POSITION

pursuant to Rule 55(4) of the Rules of Procedure

by Jean-Lin Lacapelle

This report reflects the mad rush towards enlargement that the European Parliament seeks to drag the European Union into. The war in Ukraine is being used as a pretext to give a geostrategic dimension to the enlargement process, bypassing the Copenhagen criteria, whereas it is the strategic interests of European nations that should determine the direction and arrangements of any potential enlargement. What is more, the enlargement process is itself being used to demand institutional reforms that are detrimental to the sovereignty of the Member States. Under the guise of greater efficiency, the report calls for the introduction of qualified majority voting in the Council for decisions relating to the protection of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, the multi-annual financial framework, sanctions, the launch of negotiations for EU membership, and the opening and closing of negotiations on international treaties. The report also falls in favour of creating new EU own resources. It is therefore unthinkable for us to support this text, which has nothing to do with the provisions of the Treaties, and which openly undermines the sovereignty and interests of the Member States.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The report sets forward Parliament’s position on reforms and a pathway towards the future functioning of an enlarged EU.

ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEURS HAVE RECEIVED INPUT

Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur Petras Auštrevičius and the rapporteur Pedro Silva Pereira declare that they have received input from the following entities or persons in the preparation of the report, until the adoption thereof in committee:

The lists above are drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteurs.

INFORMATION ON ADOPTION IN COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE