EU Council Shelves Enlargement Aspirations
 

Yesterday, the General Affairs Council (GAC) convened in Luxembourg to prepare for the upcoming European Council which, among other issues, will decide on the opening of EU accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia. Accession negotiations have been continually delayed despite positive recommendations backing the enlargement process by the European Commission and multiple Member States, including Germany.

This week, France rejected membership talks, demanding "additional effort" from the Balkan countries in the fight against corruption and organised crime, especially in Albania, arguing that before embarking on another enlargement round, the focus should be on advancing further integration among existing EU member states. It is the third time since 2018 that EU ministers fail to reach a deal. Now they will have the last word at the European Council summit at the end of the week.

Delaying negotiations at this stage would undermine EU credibility. North Macedonia and Albania have carried out robust internal reforms in line with the EU requirements. North Macedonia has signed the Prespa Agreement with Greece, putting an end to a historically long dispute over the country’s name. By showing reluctance to support Albania and North Macedonia's accession process, the EU risks leaving a vacuum that could be exploited by geopolitical rivals, such as Russia, China and Turkey, who wish to profit from this uncertainty to interfere in the region to promote their own agenda, which often runs contrary to that of the EU.

Input from the European Movement International
 

The European Movement International fully supports the enlargement process as a way to fostering democracy, stability and prosperity throughout the region. The transformative impact of enlargement helps enhance regional cooperation and uphold citizens’ rights. Integrating the Western Balkans into the European Union is in the political, economic and security interests of the European bloc. 

In our policy position on enlargement, the European Movement International believes that the EU should regain the enlargement momentum by developing a positive enlargement narrative based on the success of this process in strengthening security and peace in Europe. The EU Member States should thus work together and with unity when discussing enlargement. In view of external factors which can negatively impact on the Western Balkan region, a stronger European Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) could improve stability in the region.

Accession talks must be carried out in a transparent way and involve civil society. At the same time, candidate countries should cooperate as trustworthy partners in the accession process, and fully implement the agreed reforms.