Delaying or derogating from the necessary reforms in the EU candidate countries could halt the negotiation process of lead to re-opening of already closed chapters, states the draft for the proposal for the enlargement of the European Commission, published yesterday by Financial Times.
Text entitled “Brussels opens the way for member states to halt EU enlargement talks” states that EC will “lay out new plans for the simplification of the EU enlargement process and give stronger authorizations to member states to start negotiations in some ears all over again”, as a response to the concern in Paris and other EU cities.
The document states that adopted rules would apply on pre-accession negotiations which started after the plan was adopted.
This proposal, together with other proposals, will be subject to further discussion.
According to Financial Times, the Commission calls for the incentives for the successful candidates, including increased funds and closer integration with politics, markets and EU programs in the areas where progress has been made.
FT reminds that discussion over the enlargement process reform has been prompted by the decision refusing to open negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania.
France on one side, and nine other countries on the other, have proposed their own versions of how to improve enlargement process.