France explained its proposal to reform the enlargement process in a ‘non-paper’ in English published ahead of the General Affairs Council on Tuesday 19 November.
According to the document obtained by EUROPE on 18 November, “A renewed approach to the accession process is therefore necessary to support the Western Balkan countries in concrete terms with regard to the reforms necessary to fully comply with the rule of law and generally to apply the European acquis”.
France “reaffirms [our] unequivocal support to the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries”, but considers that the “profound political, economic and social transformations required for a future accession to the European Union” continue to be “too slow” and the concrete benefits for citizens “insufficient”.
France proposes that the EU Council ask the Commission to make proposals, on the basis of its non-paper, defining the new method, before the publication of the next enlargement package by January 2020.
In its document, Paris describes a process based on four principles:gradual association; stringent conditions; tangible benefits; and reversibility.
In concrete terms, the negotiations would be organised around “coherent” policy blocks, with seven successive stages which the candidate countries would gradually be included in, instead of the negotiating chapters. According to Paris, this would allow these countries to be gradually integrated into EU policies and programmes. These seven blocks would be: (1) the rule of law, fundamental rights, justice and security - as cross-cutting issues; (2) education, research and space, youth, culture, sport, environment, transport, telecommunications and energy; (3) employment, social policy, health and consumer protection and competitiveness; (4) economic and financial affairs; (5) internal market, agriculture and fisheries; (6) foreign affairs and (7) other matters.
In addition, stringent conditions would be introduced, “in order to effectively converge towards European norms and standards over the long term, in the field of the rule of law, but also economic and social convergence.” These criteria, the fulfilment of which would make it possible to move from one block to another, would be detailed.
According to France, the objective is also for citizens of the candidate countries to see concrete benefits during the process - benefits that are “currently lacking and prevent migratory movements from being stemmed, posing problems for both parties”. Increased financial support could also be provided, via “an increase in the envelope of the pre-accession instrument but making candidate countries eligible for structural funds could also be considered”.
Finally, and of importance to Paris, a principle of reversibility of the process should be established “to ensure its credibility and incentive nature”. And if a candidate country “in whole or in part, no longer meets certain criteria or ceases to fulfil the commitments it has undertaken [...] The European Union’s response would be gradual. It would be proportional to the size and the seriousness of the failing observed: from a suspension of the benefits granted to a step backwards in the process, or even general suspension if the European Union’s fundamental values were challenged”.
France also wants stronger political governance: The Commission would assess and regularly monitor the progress made by candidate countries and the Member States would review these evaluations. “The Council’s role would be strengthened as candidate countries are increasingly involved in sectoral policies”, the document adds.
For Paris, in parallel with the launch of reflection on a better articulation between the Berlin Process summits and the EU-Balkan summits, an annual meeting of the European Council could be held with Heads of State and Government of the Western Balkan countries, in order to address issues of common interest.
See the document: http://bit.ly/2NXVkes (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)