site.btaEU Enlargement Commissioner Proposes that Only Decisions to Start and End Accession Talks Be Taken Unanimously

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos proposed on Tuesday that only decisions on the opening and closing of accession negotiations with candidate countries be adopted unanimously. She spoke before the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee during the presentation of the European Commission’s annual reports on progress in the EU enlargement process.

Kos noted that this year’s best progress was recorded by Albania, Montenegro, Ukraine, and Moldova. Future accession treaties, she added, should include stronger safeguards while respecting the principle of equality among members.

Regarding North Macedonia, the Commissioner said the country fully aligns with the EU’s foreign and security policy decisions but has not taken significant steps forward in the negotiation process. She emphasized that Skopje’s authorities need to adopt constitutional amendments in order to advance.

The EU is extending a hand to Serbia, but the country must apply EU decisions in the field of foreign policy and security. Kos said that she could no longer listen to Serbian politicians blaming the EU for the events in their country. She warned that consequences are possible if the EU continues to be used as a scapegoat for tensions in Serbia.

Kos noted that only a united Europe can ensure peace and progress on the continent. The EU enlargement process cannot continue without the consent of European citizens, the EU must better explain the pursuit of this goal, the Commissioner stated.

Kos urged the EU Council to consider limiting the requirement for unanimity in voting and to allow technical negotiations and measures to proceed without the approval of all 27 member states.