Olivér Várhelyi, EU commissioner for neighborhood policy and enlargement, said the European Union’s enlargement policy is “a clear and necessary geostrategic investment in our long-term peace, stability, prosperity and security."
Várhelyi told a conference of representatives of EU affairs committees of European parliaments in Budapest on Monday. The EU cannot be successful without new entrants and their national parliaments, the commissioner said, adding that the EU currently had 10 aspirants that “believe in the EU offering them long-term peace, security, stability, welfare and prosperity.” Concerning the candidates, Várhelyi said Ukraine, despite “the current times of challenge” had made progress in its required reforms. He noted that Ukraine was expected to show commitment to the process and should go on with its reforms. He also added that in 2024 the EU was committed to helping Ukraine with a total of 16 billion euros if that country met the bloc’s requirements.
Concerning Moldova, Várhelyi noted that the EU had entered into accession talks with that country last month, and was helping Moldova with an investment of 1.6 million euros to refurbish key road infrastructure and the green and digital transition. Georgia was given candidate status last December and made a commitment to promote the rule of law and fundamental rights, however, that country then passed “controversial” legislation with special regard to a law concerning the “transparency of foreign influence”, Várhelyi said, adding that the contested law indicated “a step back from candidate status”. EU enlargement in the Western Balkans was a top priority for the Hungarian EU presidency, the commissioner said, adding that the EU “cannot be complete without that region”. He urged that the EU should open the competitiveness and inclusive growth chapters in its talks with Serbia, and noted the Serbian government’s commitment to introducing EU reforms. He also said it was of “vital importance” that Serbia should indicate its strategic directions to the EU “in the current geopolitical context”.
Concerning Albania, he said the country was making progress with its judicial reform, but added that such areas as private ownership and the rule of law required further efforts. North Macedonia should accelerate the implementation of its accession-related reforms, Várhelyi said, and noted that the next steps in the process required constitutional amendments. Bosnia and Herzegovina has completed all eight requirements the European Commission defined in October, the commissioner said, adding that the framework for the talks was being prepared. Integration of all new entrants could be promoted by a new “growth plan”, he said, adding that the mechanism could offer candidates such facilities as access to the common regional market even before they are granted full membership in the EU.