The European Union is open to Georgia becoming a member, the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Thursday, but warned Tbilisi needed to implement sweeping reforms to get candidate status.

The EU recognised Georgia's "European perspective" last year but deferred its membership application, while granting candidacy to Ukraine and Moldova, arguing Tbilisi needed to make changes first.

https://www.euronews.com/2023/09/08/georgia-needs-sweeping-reforms-to-get-eu-candidate-status-warns-josep-borrell

#Georgia #EU #Candidacy #Enlargement #EUEnlargement

The ‘monumental consequences’ of Ukraine joining the EU.

Kyiv’s desire for membership has raised profound questions about the union’s capacity to accept new members — and the future of the European project.

The idea that might have seemed preposterous even 18 months ago is now being taken seriously. Though many member state officials and diplomats privately question whether it will really happen.

https://www.ft.com/content/744078f2-0895-44d9-96f9-701c13403df0

#Ukraine #EU #WarInUkraine #EUEnlargement

EU member states weigh up the consequences of Ukraine's membership.

In a letter addressed to the heads of state and government a few days before meeting with them in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, Charles Michel, president of the European Council, invited them to "draw up a working plan" to prepare for the enlargement of the European Union, as Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans countries come knocking at the door.

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/06/29/eu-member-states-weigh-up-consequences-of-ukraine-membership_6039597_4.html

#EU #Ukraine #Moldova #Balkans #EUEnlargement

@sgjanssens@mastodon.nl We can continue #EUEnlargement, but before we have comprehensive reform including abolishing vetos/unanimity, new members will not have veto power, all steps of accession will need to be reversible in principle if certain benchmarks aren't met.Reversion must be automatic & must include exclusion from the #EU if #CopenhagenCriteria such as certain democratic,rule of law or human rights standards are no longer met.

No more autocratic Trojan Horses/democratic backsliding within the EU

As strong supporter of the #EuropeanProject of #EuropeanIntegration, I am on the one hand pleased to see most of non-#EU #Europe finally on track to join on this #EUEnlargement map.

On the other hand saddened that this happened only now after #RussianAggression against #Ukraine.

As strong supporter of the #EuropeanProject of #EuropeanIntegration, I am on the one hand pleased to see most of non-#EU #Europe finally on track to join on this #EUEnlargement map.

On the other hand saddened that this happened only now after #RussianAggression against #Ukraine.

Quote:
The call for EU reform has so far been met with resistance – especially from Eastern and Scandinavian member states, but Berlin is confident that a consensus on reforming the EU can be reached. 

According to Kukies, the success of the EU reform would boil down to “how hard we negotiate” and “how clearly we communicate that we will only allow enlargement if there are institutional reforms.”

https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/german-top-aide-no-eu-reform-no-enlargement/

#EUreform
#EUenlargement

Quote:
The call for EU reform has so far been met with resistance – especially from Eastern and Scandinavian member states, but Berlin is confident that a consensus on reforming the EU can be reached. 

According to Kukies, the success of the EU reform would boil down to “how hard we negotiate” and “how clearly we communicate that we will only allow enlargement if there are institutional reforms.”

https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/german-top-aide-no-eu-reform-no-enlargement/

#EUreform
#EUenlargement