European commissioner outlines three key areas for EU enlargement preparations

The European Union must focus on three points as it prepares to accept new members: strengthening safeguards against backsliding on democratic norms, enabling more flexible decision-making, and expanding gradual integration for candidate states prior to full accession.

Source: European Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos speaking to journalists ahead of a meeting of the EU General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 13 October, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Kos mentioned that the European Commission has presented its pre-enlargement policy review outlining the internal reforms the EU must undergo to be ready for future accessions.

Quote from Kos: "Three points are important to me. The first is that we make sure that once we get newcomers, they will follow the rules."

Details: Kos clarified that this refers to safeguards designed to protect democratic values and prohibit "backsliding".

Quote: "The next point is that we need a more flexible decision-making process. In these geopolitical, sometimes crazy times, we need to be more agile. That is why we suggest some steps how to use more QMV [qualified majority voting]."

Details: The third point is introducing enhanced gradual integration – "more Europe before membership".

Quote: "If a country will succeed to adopt everything necessary to be part of the sub-system or system of the European Union, we could get them on board even earlier [before formal accession – ed.]."

Background:

• On 6 October, the European Commission's College of Commissioners adopted a package of proposals on pre-enlargement policy reviews which will enable the EU to admit new members, including Ukraine.
• At the time, Marta Kos outlined five specific steps proposed by the Commission for future EU members.

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