Key facts
- The EU is developing safeguards to ensure new member states adhere to reforms and do not obstruct the bloc.
- Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos stated that these safeguards will 'bite hard' if rules are not followed.
- The European Commission is consulting member countries on potential safeguards and transition periods before full membership rights are granted.
- Concerns have been raised by member states like France, Germany, and the Netherlands regarding decision-making and reform reversals.
- Montenegro's accession treaty may include new safeguard mechanisms to ensure adherence to rules post-membership.
The European Union is actively developing stringent safeguards to ensure that future member states remain committed to reforms and do not disrupt the bloc's decision-making processes post-accession. Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos stated that these measures are designed to 'bite hard' if new members deviate from agreed-upon rules, drawing lessons from past challenges with member states that have backslid on democratic principles or rule of law.
Kos's remarks come as the EU has initiated detailed accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, and Montenegro has moved closer to membership. The European Commission is consulting with existing member states, including France, Germany, and the Netherlands, which have expressed concerns about potential complications in decision-making and the risk of new members reversing reforms after joining. Leaders like German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron are advocating for a phased approach to integration.
Montenegro's accession treaty is expected to incorporate these new safeguard mechanisms, potentially setting a precedent for future enlargements. Prime Minister Milojko Spajić has indicated openness to such measures, provided they are clear, predictable, and applied only when commitments are genuinely broken. Commissioner Kos emphasized that the accession process will continue to be merit-based, allowing countries that demonstrate greater progress to advance more quickly.