As EU moves to prioritise geopolitical needs over old merit-based approaches, the concern is that rushed membership for Ukraine and Albania could come at a cost.
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As EU moves to prioritise geopolitical needs over old merit-based approaches, the concern is that rushed membership for Ukraine and Albania could come at a cost.
The EU feels a spring in its step as it readies to accept its first new member since 2013 – a decision of enormous symbolic weight, which will also set important precedents.
President Maia Sandu reiterated Moldova’s goal to sign the EU accession treaty by 2028.
Member states are reportedly drawing up a package of limited benefits for Kyiv after rejecting fast-track membership.
The pace of the Balkans country’s progress once again highlights the preferential treatment Brussels is giving Ukraine.
As the Nordic country prepares a referendum on reopening EU accession talks, Brussels has signed a new defence agreement with Reykjavík, anchoring the island more firmly in Europe’s Arctic strategy.
Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos says they are “increasingly worried” about what is happening in the country that continues to seek EU membership.
The Commission wants to open all negotiating chapters immediately and turn Kyiv’s accession into the next great leap in European integration.
Brussels has already gone cold on a scheme to allow some aspirant countries like Albania and Serbia second-tier membership – but that doesn’t mean that other creative approaches to European enlargement are off the table.
Brussels has already gone cold on a scheme to allow some aspirant countries like Albania and Serbia second-tier membership – but that doesn’t mean that other creative approaches to European enlargement are off the table.