A Ukraine at war with Moscow and a Moldova that has repeatedly indicated it is the target of Russian destabilization efforts have been given permission by the European Commission to begin negotiations to join the European Union. “Today is a historic day,” said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the presentation in Brussels of the evaluation report on the candidate countries for enlargement. This also guarantees Georgia’s status as a candidate.
A new step towards an expanded EU that both Kiev and Chisinau, but also many member states, consider essential to stop Moscow’s ambitions. And it still needs to be approved by the 27 members of the European Council in December.
But don’t think there will be an EU of 29 (or 30) anytime soon. This positive recommendation is just the beginning of a long journey for both Ukraine and Moldova, but also for Georgia and the other seven countries assessed in this report.
Nothing stopped Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from applauding Brussels’ “good decision”. “Our state must exist within the EU. The Ukrainians deserve it,” he stressed, quoted by AFP. In June 2022, Brussels gave Ukraine candidate country status, in a highly symbolic gesture just months after the Russian invasion. A decision that also concerned Moldova.
At the time, the Commission defined seven benchmarks that Kyiv had to meet to move to the next stage, with a focus on strengthening the fight against corruption and accelerating judicial reforms. Now Von der Leyen stressed that “Ukraine still faces enormous difficulties and is confronted with the tragedy caused by Russia’s war of aggression,” but added that despite these difficulties the country has continued “deep” reforms in view of the EU -membership.
Now that his counter-offensive is not progressing at the pace he would like – President Zelensky even denied the words of one of his generals that the conflict was at a ‘stalemate’ – and as the war between Hamas and Israel diverted the attention of the Ukrainian media , Kiev needed this good news from Brussels.
If the 27 mid-December European Council confirms the Commission’s conclusions, Ukraine (and Moldova) will join a list of European countries that have already started accession negotiations with the EU. Even though some, such as Turkey, have been waiting for years to join the European bloc. Turkey has been a candidate since 1999 and saw negotiations begin in 2005 after being frozen since 2018.
Expand to curb Russia’s expansionist appetite
“A stronger, bigger and more united European Union is the geopolitical answer to Russia’s war of aggression” in Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said yesterday. The head of diplomacy in Berlin has put forward an idea championed by several member states, which see the growth of the European family towards the East as a way to control Russia’s expansionism.
A concern that will also have contributed to the positive advice given to Moldova, a Romanian-speaking country that is among the poorest in Europe and whose authorities have regularly denounced Russia’s attempts to destabilize. According to Von der Leyen, Moldova has “implemented important reforms despite continued efforts” from foreign interference.
Georgia, whose territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia have been occupied by Russia since the 2008 war, was denied candidate status last year. “I am happy for the Georgian people and welcome the positive recommendation of the European Commission,” said Georgian President Salomé Zourabichvili.
However, Tbilisi was warned that it will have to implement deep reforms to meet the “aspirations of the vast majority of its citizens to join the EU,” von der Leyen warned.
The European Commission has also recommended opening accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, provided the Western Balkans country meets all the criteria. “We have opened the door wide,” explains Von der Leyen, but Brussels expects significant progress. “More efforts are needed, including the adoption of important reforms to the rule of law and the judicial system and the implementation of constitutional and electoral reforms, which are an absolute priority to guarantee the equal rights of all citizens. It is equally important to protect the constitutional order of the country. The secessionist and authoritarian measures introduced in the entity of the Republic of Serbia are not in line with the path of EU accession,” the report said.
Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia remain candidate countries, with the prospect of opening accession negotiations, while Serbia, which is already a candidate, and Kosovo have not yet started to fulfill their respective binding obligations.
Turkey does not see any change in its status, with the report highlighting that it “remains an important partner for the European Union and a candidate country, but accession negotiations have remained deadlocked since 2018, in line with the decision of the European Council.” The Commission further recommends that Ankara “take decisive action to significantly improve alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policy and intensify cooperation in preventing and detecting circumvention of restrictive measures.”
Candidates with different speeds
Ukraine
Despite the Russian invasion in February 2022 and after Kyiv was granted candidate country status in June, Kyiv received the green light from the Commission to proceed to the EU membership negotiation phase. The report highlights that Ukraine has accelerated reforms over the past five months. Of the seven steps to open negotiations, Kiev completed four. But the EU warns that it needs to make improvements in several areas: the fight against corruption; implement a law to limit the power of oligarchs and guarantee the recognition of minority rights, especially language rights.
Moldavia
After being granted candidate country status in June, Moldova has also been given the green light to move to the negotiation phase, building on the progress made. The Commission emphasizes the strengthening of democracy and the rule of law, the greater involvement of civil society and the reform of public administration and the judiciary, in addition to the fight against organized crime and corruption. Although this still needs improvements, such as the de-oligarchization of the country.
Georgia
Despite its refusal to impose sanctions on Russia and fears of a decline in democracy, the EU is giving Georgia the accession candidate status it was denied in June. The Commission highlights progress in the twelve key areas it identified for the Georgian government to improve, in particular gender equality and the fight against violence against women. But he warns that he must still work to combat disinformation and foreign (read Russian) interference, in addition to guaranteeing free and fair elections next year.
Albania
With candidate status since 2014, Tirana began accession negotiations in 2022, but the report concludes that reforms need to be accelerated to move the process forward. Praised for maintaining alignment with the EU in foreign and defense policy, Tirana must improve the fight against corruption and implement reforms in the areas of freedom of expression, minority rights and the rule of law.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Candidate for membership, Bosnia has the green light to start negotiations as long as it meets fourteen criteria. The report highlights progress in EU alignment despite no sanctions being imposed on Russia, but highlights necessary improvements. Starting with the development of the República Srpska (Serbian Republic), one of the country’s two administrative units. The report criticizes the lack of reforms to the justice system and restrictions on freedom of expression and the media.
Kosovo
The country applied for membership in December 2022, but the report emphasizes that it must normalize relations with Serbia to do so. Highlights progress on electoral reform, human rights and the market economy. But the fight against corruption and the legal system must improve.
Montenegro
The EU began accession negotiations in 2012, but progress depends on respect for the rule of law. The report emphasizes the good relations with neighboring countries, the connection with the EU and the progress in the field of freedom of expression. The biggest challenge is justice reform, in addition to the fight against corruption and organized crime.
North Macedonia
With its candidacy in the evaluation process, Skopje received praise from the EU. The report highlights progress in the areas of justice, freedom and security. The country needs to improve the fight against corruption, organized crime and public administration reform.
Serbia
Accession negotiations began in 2014, but the refusal to impose sanctions on Russia and tensions with Kosovo brought the process to a standstill. Belgrade has already closed two accession chapters and the report recommends opening the third. But France, Italy and Germany are pushing for an improvement in relations with Pristina. He was praised for his judicial reforms but criticized for his lack of alignment with the EU on foreign policy, especially his proximity to Russia and China.
Turkiye
The country has been a candidate for membership since 1999 and the process has been frozen since 2018. The report highlights cooperation with Ankara in areas such as energy, migration, counter-terrorism and trade. But he says Turkey continues to distance itself from the EU and criticizes the decline in the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. The tensions with Greece and the impasse in Cyprus are challenges.
Source: DN
