The European Commission is suggesting measures to protect the EU from potential issues with future members that could weaken democracy and veto decisions. This proposal comes as Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, and Moldova work towards joining the EU. A draft document highlights that while enlargement enhances Europe, it also brings challenges in decision-making and resources.
The Commission aims to minimize risks of democratic decline and foreign policy changes in new members, following experiences with Hungary. Some EU governments want to protect current businesses and citizens from sudden changes due to enlargement.
To address these issues, the Commission is considering tools like a “temporary political commitment,” where new members agree not to oppose consensus decisions for a limited time. It also thinks of a safeguard clause allowing existing members to suspend a new member’s rights with a qualified majority.
New accession treaties might include temporary protections in areas like worker mobility and agriculture. Furthermore, the Commission stresses the need for easier decision-making through qualified-majority votes on issues like sanctions while ensuring safety measures for national interests. It also calls for better integration of future members into EU programs before their formal accession.
With information from Reuters
