On Tuesday 19 March, the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union wishes to sound out the ministers responsible for European Affairs on the internal reforms needed for the EU to function effectively after its future enlargement to include countries such as those of the Western Balkans and Ukraine.
The first thing to focus on is the development of common “policies” that will impact the EU’s capacity to act, according to the Belgian authorities in a preparatory document, a copy of which has been sent to Agence Europe.
The lifting of restrictions on the entry of Ukrainian agricultural products into the EU, which was decided in order to support Ukraine in the face of Russia’s military aggression, is already causing difficulties for the European agricultural sector, particularly in Poland.
The issue of the budget allocated to policies and the governance of EU institutions will be addressed at later ministerial meetings.
This reflection extends the debates initiated at the meeting of the European political community in Granada, during which the EU27 affirmed the importance of making parallel progress on laying the necessary internal groundwork and reforms and on accession negotiations with the candidate countries (see EUROPE 13266/1). It will support the preparation of a roadmap for Europe’s future, due to be adopted by the European Council at the end of June.
Expected on Wednesday 20 March, the European Commission’s communication on EU internal reform will contribute to this reflection.
See the Belgian Presidency document: https://aeur.eu/f/bap (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)