European Commission explains main condition for gradual EU accession, which will also apply to Ukraine

New approaches to the EU accession process, which will also include the idea of gradual integration, will apply only to countries that demonstrate progress in reforms.

Source: Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, following a European Commission meeting in Strasbourg, as reported by a European Pravda correspondent

Details: The European commissioner recalled that member states had previously expressed interest in advancing the approach of gradual integration of candidate countries into the EU.

Quote from Kos: "So we want to be much more ambitious to integrate our candidate countries in selected parts of the union ahead of membership."

She stressed that such gradual integration "is not a substitute for full membership", adding that the new approach should be "the accelerator for the enlargement".

Quote: "It is a bridge between the geopolitical need to stabilise our continent while pursuing merit-based enlargement."

Marta Kos stressed that advancing through gradual integration will require two conditions: the candidate country being integrated into EU policies must demonstrate "progress on reforms", as well as "strategic alignment" with the EU's activities.

Quote: "I would compare this with a car, if the car is not running, it makes no sense if we push them from behind and the motor is not running, and the motor can only run if there is the fuel, and the fuel are the reforms in the country."

Marta Kos named four candidate countries that she expects will fall under the EU's new approach: Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine and Moldova. According to the European Commission, all four are showing progress in reforms.

When asked by a journalist why Serbia is not on the list, despite having made sufficient progress in implementing reforms in the past, Kos explained that the reason is the current lack of progress.

Background:

• Earlier reports indicated that the European Commission is proposing a change to the rules for future EU members.
• The European commissioner is also proposing to agree on exceptions for Ukraine in the EU agricultural sector.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon to help us keep reporting!