FLASH
Shkruar nga PamfletiIn the letter published on May 21, Chancellor Merz proposes that the Western Balkans and Moldova have privileged access to the European common market, as well as closer participation in EU decision-making processes.
The European Commission has confirmed that it has received a letter from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, which proposes that Ukraine be granted associate member status in the European Union, while the Western Balkan countries be included as observers in the bloc's institutions.
European Commission spokesman Guillaume Mercier stated that Brussels welcomes the discussion taking place among member states on ways to bring candidate countries closer to the EU.
"This shows that there is a strong commitment from member states to make enlargement a reality as soon as possible. It is increasingly clear that enlargement is a geostrategic investment in our prosperity, peace and security. Ukraine's membership in the European Union is also fundamentally linked to the security of our bloc," Mercier said during a press conference.
He stressed that the process must remain merit-based for all countries aiming for EU membership.
"All innovative solutions must be guided by a merit-based process. Looking ahead, we must ensure that our approach to enlargement is fit for purpose," he said.
According to the European Commission, the institution will continue cooperation with member states and candidate countries to find new forms of integration that strengthen the union and its security.
In the letter published on May 21, Chancellor Merz proposes that the Western Balkans and Moldova have privileged access to the European common market, as well as closer participation in EU decision-making processes.
He also suggests that the Western Balkan countries receive observer status in key European institutions and hold joint meetings with the European Commission and the European Parliament on issues directly related to the region.
"Gradual integration can be achieved by building blocks that would serve as a basis for the full implementation of relevant policy areas, and would then be accompanied by greater support for the implementation of EU laws. In addition, we can also advance institutional integration on the basis of real progress. All this could significantly bring the candidate countries closer to us and stimulate a new ambition for further reforms towards full membership," the German Chancellor's letter states.
The document emphasizes that the objective of European Union enlargement remains unchanged.
"Let us remain firmly committed to the promise that the Western Balkan countries and Moldova can join the European Union, as set out in the Copenhagen Criteria and the Thessaloniki Agenda of 2003. Our goal has not changed: the completion of the European Union through the inclusion of all candidate countries," the letter further states.
Currently, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia have candidate status for EU membership, while Kosovo does not yet have this status.
For Ukraine, Merz proposes a deeper rapprochement with European Union institutions without interrupting existing membership negotiations.
The German Chancellor believes that these steps can be achieved without changes to the EU's legal and institutional framework, but through a political agreement between member states.
Lini një Përgjigje