EU prepares targeted plans for candidates with the highest prospects for membership

EU is preparing proposals so that the four countries closest to joining the Union – Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, and Moldova – receive a clear, gradual path to membership.

For these four membership candidates, targeted “roadmaps” are being considered, two officials working on the draft proposals as part of efforts to accelerate the Union’s decades-long enlargement process told Brussels-based Politico on condition of anonymity.

The four countries are seen as leading candidates for EU accession, but they still face slow progress and uncertain timelines for admission. Namely, although Brussels has long supported the candidacies of these four countries, the plans currently being developed provide, for the first time, assurances that they will be admitted if they continue key reforms, while also specifying indicative deadlines for concluding negotiations.

As one EU official stated, the “roadmaps” will more clearly define expectations for each candidate and at the same time create obligations for current members, who must give their consent for the process to continue. The plans also include indicative deadlines for completing reforms from the negotiation clusters, which are milestones on the path to membership.

The targeted support for the most advanced candidates was also mentioned by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her State of the Union address earlier this month.

EU officials confirmed to Politico that candidates in the early stages of the process, such as Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, will not be offered “roadmaps” at this time, nor will Serbia, Georgia, and Turkey, whose accession processes have been halted due to concerns about backsliding in democracy and the judiciary.

A Commission spokesperson confirmed that these new roadmaps “will pave the way for the conclusion of accession negotiations. A clear list of priorities will be established – timelines and concrete results that will help the most advanced candidates implement the necessary reforms.”

EU officials believe that candidates should be offered a better path to “gradual integration” into the bloc, which would include access to economic benefits and participation in joint projects. This policy proposal, led by von der Leyen’s adviser Aleksandar Adam, will be presented to senior officials on October 6, Politico reports.

“Enlargement remains a geopolitical imperative. However, the accession process takes time. Candidates must complete a strict, merit-based process and achieve far-reaching and lasting reforms. This time should be used strategically for the EU to better prepare for a larger membership, as well as for deeper gradual integration in areas of mutual interest,” states the draft document on the pre-enlargement process seen by Politico.

As part of these efforts, von der Leyen and Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos will propose changes to the functioning of the EU to provide safeguard mechanisms to prevent new members from undermining key policies or violating their commitments.

The revision could also include provisions for emergency situations and transitional periods before a new member is fully granted certain rights arising from membership, the Brussels portal reported.

“Policy analyses show that the Union can admit a larger number of members through targeted adjustments, mainly within the existing framework of the (EU) Treaty,” the draft states, adding that there is no need to change the Union’s fundamental laws.

Meanwhile, EU member states are cautious regarding the admission of new members. EU leaders will discuss the manner and pace of admitting new members at a two-day summit starting October 15, and the Commission will seek their political support to accelerate enlargement.

According to the draft agenda, the European Council will hold a “strategic discussion on enlargement and internal reforms.”