Key facts
- Germany and France proposed giving EU candidate countries earlier access to EU programs and the single market.
- The proposal aims to inject new momentum into the EU enlargement process.
- Candidate countries could participate in student exchange, research, energy, industry, and the Emissions Trading System.
- Representatives from candidate countries could attend EU ministerial meetings and summits without voting rights.
- The proposal follows a previous idea by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for Ukraine to gain 'associate member' status.
Germany and France have put forward a proposal to offer aspiring European Union members more opportunities to join EU programs and gain access to the single market before they achieve full membership. This initiative, detailed in a discussion paper, is intended to invigorate discussions on expanding the 27-member bloc, particularly ahead of upcoming summits with Western Balkan leaders and Moldova. The urgency for enlargement has increased due to Russia's war against Ukraine, with Kyiv seeking to anchor itself politically within Europe. Recognizing that the traditional accession process is lengthy and bureaucratic, EU officials are exploring ways to provide more immediate and tangible benefits to candidate countries. The Franco-German paper suggests that candidates could participate in programs such as student exchanges and research, and potentially integrate into areas like energy, industry, and the EU's Emissions Trading System, provided they meet specific standards. Additionally, it raises the possibility of allowing representatives from Western Balkan countries and Moldova to attend parts of EU ministerial meetings and summits, though without voting power. This proposal builds upon a prior suggestion by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to grant Ukraine an interim status of 'associate member,' a move that had raised questions about the treatment of Western Balkan candidates who have been pursuing membership for years.