EU reviews changes ahead of future enlargement
The European Union will examine changes to its institutions, policies and budget as it prepares for possible future enlargement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Friday during a visit to North Macedonia.
Speaking alongside North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski in Skopje, von der Leyen said the European Commission will present its pre-enlargement policy reviews next week.
The reviews will assess what changes may be required for the EU to accommodate additional member states, including possible adjustments to the bloc's institutional structures, policies and finances.
Gradual integration under consideration
The announcement comes amid reports that Brussels is examining ways to strengthen ties with candidate countries before they become full EU members.
According to Politico, proposals include the gradual integration of candidate countries into the EU single market and closer trade relations.
"Enlargement, of course, is a two-way process," von der Leyen said, stressing that candidate countries must prepare for membership while the EU must also prepare to receive them.
"We want to make sure that our European Union is ready to become larger," she added.
North Macedonia urged to advance talks
Von der Leyen said North Macedonia now needs to take a key step to advance its accession negotiations and open the fundamentals cluster.
She also reaffirmed the EU's support for the country's European path and said the bloc respects North Macedonia's identity, language and culture.
North Macedonia's accession process has faced delays linked to disputes with neighboring Greece and Bulgaria over historical, linguistic and identity-related issues.
The European Commission's upcoming reviews are expected to provide a broader assessment of how the EU could adapt its institutions and policies ahead of any future enlargement.
Source:AA
