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REPORT (2023/2114(INI))

On deepening EU integration in view of future enlargement

A-9-2024-0015

Committee on Foreign Affairs Committee on Constitutional Affairs · Rapporteur: Petras Auštrevičius, Pedro Silva Pereira

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution says enlargement is a strategic priority and a merit-based process with no fast-track or pre-defined deadlines. It welcomes opening accession negotiations with Ukraine, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina and granting Georgia candidate status. It asks for stronger rule of law monitoring, full alignment with the EU's common foreign and security policy, and better scrutiny of pre-accession funding. It calls for EU institutional and financial reforms before enlargement, including more qualified majority voting, a reformed Article 7 procedure, and a strengthened multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034.

Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Constitutional Affairs propose that Parliament adopt the resolution, which sets out Parliament's position on deepening EU integration in view of future enlargement, including institutional and financial reforms.

Key points

  1. Parliament welcomes the aspiration of European countries to join the EU and acknowledges their efforts to meet membership requirements.
  2. It calls enlargement a strategic geopolitical priority and an investment in peace, democracy, stability and security, especially after Russia's war against Ukraine.
  3. It welcomes the Commission's 2023 enlargement package and the European Council's decisions to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, grant Georgia candidate status, and open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once compliance is achieved.
  4. It says Türkiye's accession process cannot resume in current circumstances and urges a realistic parallel cooperation framework based on human rights, democracy and neighbourly relations.
  5. It insists accession must be merit-based, with rule of law, democratic reform, media freedom and minority rights at the forefront, and no short-cuts on EU values.
  6. It asks for enhanced monitoring of fundamental values and EU financial interests, including candidate countries in the EU rule of law mechanism and annual reporting.
  7. It urges candidate countries to align fully with the EU's common foreign and security policy, including sanctions against Russia, as a condition for accession.
  8. It calls for a thorough evaluation of the enlargement strategy and assessment of limited progress in rule of law, human rights and democracy.
  9. It supports an incremental accession pathway with gradual integration into common policies and access to EU funds, but says this is not a substitute for full membership.
  10. It calls for stronger Parliament oversight of enlargement policy and funding, and for structured cooperation with national parliaments and civil society.
  11. It calls for EU institutional reforms, including more qualified majority voting, a reformed Article 7 procedure, and a review of the Council's decision-making and Parliament's composition.
  12. It stresses that enlargement requires a properly funded multiannual financial framework, additional own resources, and financial reforms adopted ahead of enlargement.

Who is affected

  • Candidate and potential candidate countries, which must meet Copenhagen criteria, align with CFSP and implement reforms.
  • EU institutions and member states, which are asked to undertake institutional and financial reforms before enlargement.
  • Western Balkan countries, which are urged to focus on conflict resolution, regional cooperation and reconciliation.
  • Ukraine, which needs post-war reconstruction and recovery supported by international efforts.

Figures and deadlines

  • The next EU enlargement should take place as soon as all accession conditions are met, with first candidates ready by the end of this decade.
  • The multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034 must take the accession of new members into account.
  • The EU of 30 or more Member States is mentioned as the scale for which decision-making must be fit.

Legal basis: Article 5(3), 48 and 49 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU)