EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, warned that "there will be rewards as well as penalties" if a candidate country regresses on democracy or the rule of law. - Photo: AFP
According to European media reports this weekend, the European Commission (EC) is drafting plans to offer economic incentives to countries applying to join the EU even before they officially become part of the bloc.
This move comes as many governments are seeking to accelerate the process of EU expansion without lowering standards.
This proposal is part of the EC's efforts to promote "gradual integration," seen as an incentive for candidate countries while their EU accession applications are still being processed.
The benefits under discussion include access to certain EU financing programs, preferential trade agreements, and partial access to the single market.
The specific level of incentives will be adjusted to suit the progress of reforms in each candidate country. The goal is to keep these countries "on track" by incentivizing them to push through politically challenging reforms.
Unlike the earlier concept of "reverse expansion," which would grant countries political rights before the accession process is complete, "gradual integration" would provide economic benefits of membership but would not recognize them as full members before the procedure is finalized.
This proposal now has stronger political momentum than previous plans. France and Germany – two of the EU's leading powers – have previously supported "shortened membership" ideas for countries with lengthy accession periods.
Officials are optimistic that this approach will be more readily accepted by capitals than previous plans.
"Of course, there are some things that need to be done at the same time, but economic integration is essential," said Petras Auštrevičius, a Lithuanian MEP who drafted the European Parliament's enlargement strategy. "The 'more for more' principle has been proven and should be accepted as a way to support candidate countries that make more progress than others," he added.
According to Politico , this approach is designed to keep EU candidate countries like Ukraine able to fully participate in the single market without promising quick membership. Despite strong political support, Ukraine's accession process could take years.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was among the leaders advocating for "gradual integration" approaches and had planned to raise the issue at last week's European Council summit. But according to three officials, the agenda was already too long, leaving no time for a substantive discussion.
The EC is expected to seek support from EU members for this new approach, hoping that leaders will endorse the development of a broader framework at the European Council meeting in October or December.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/eu-thuc-day-ke-hoach-mo-rong-khoi-100260628113312268.htm
