On Wednesday 30 October, in its report on EU enlargement, the European Commission highlighted the progress made by Ukraine and Moldova and the setback suffered by Georgia.
So, according to the Commission, “provided that” Ukraine and Moldova meet all the conditions, “the Commission looks forward to the opening of negotiations on the ‘clusters’, starting with the fundamentals, as soon as possible in 2025”.
The Commission notes that the opening of accession negotiations with both countries was an important recognition of their determination to pursue reforms on the road to EU membership, despite Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, Russia’s continued interference in Moldova and the impact of the war on the country.
Conversely, Georgia, which has been a candidate country since December 2023, has not had “sufficient political commitment” from its authorities to implement the reforms necessary for the country to progress towards the EU. On the contrary, “significant negative developments” have “seriously” affected Georgia’s European trajectory. “As a consequence, Georgia’s accession process has de facto been halted”, the Commission points out. Unless the country reverses its current course and demonstrates tangible efforts to address outstanding concerns and implement essential reforms, the Commission will not be in a position to consider recommending the opening of accession negotiations.
See the communication: https://aeur.eu/f/e3a
Ukraine. “The Ukrainians are fighting two battles at the same time”, EU High Representative Josep Borrell told the media. “One on the battlefield, a real war, and the other striving to advance the reforms necessary to become a member of the EU”, he said, as Ukraine tackled all the remaining steps identified in the Commission’s 2022 opinion. There were seven of them.
The country has made progress with its reforms, notably in the judicial system, the fight against corruption and the protection of minorities, as well as implementing major reforms as part of the ‘Ukraine’ Plan.
However, “further efforts are needed”, says the Commission, which calls for a focus on establishing a credible enforcement record in high-level corruption cases and consolidating the integrity, professionalism and effectiveness of the judiciary and law enforcement sector, while stepping up the fight against organised crime.
In addition, the protection of fundamental rights must be further strengthened, and the implementation of the amended legislation on the protection of minority rights must be continued, as must the reform of public administration and decentralisation.
The energy sector needs to be more decentralised and its governance improved.
See the report: https://aeur.eu/f/e3k
Moldova. Moldova has addressed all the outstanding stages identified in the Commission's 2022 opinion, states the Commission in its report. The Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Várhelyi, said that “it is very clear that Moldova has come a long way” in recent years.
According to the Commission, Moldova has continued to implement a comprehensive reform of the justice system. The country needs to push ahead with the reform of the public administration, and to improve the efficient operation of its institutions. Additional efforts are also needed to implement the ‘deoligarchisation’ plan.
In addition, “further consolidation of anti-corruption institutions, proactive and effective anti-corruption investigations and convictions at all levels shall underpin the building of a solid record”, warns the Commission, while the 20 October ballot, in which Moldovans supported by 50.38% the proposal to enshrine EU membership in the Constitution, was marred by massive vote-buying (see EUROPE 13508/1).
In the context of the growth plan (see EUROPE 13501/17), ongoing economic and governance reforms will be necessary to increase convergence with the EU and integration into the single market, the Commission adds.
See the report: https://aeur.eu/f/e3j
Georgia. In addition to the laws on the transparency of foreign influence and on ‘family values’, which the EU is calling to be repealed, Georgia has made “insignificant progress” in implementing the nine stages set by the Commission in 2023. The Commission warns that “Georgia must give priority to implementing them”, and calls for the adoption of “democratic, comprehensive and sustainable” reforms.
The Commission urges the authorities to step up action to combat disinformation and tackle hostile political rhetoric. In its view, the authorities must also ensure that attacks on the media, opposition parties and civil society activists are properly investigated and that an environment conducive to their work is guaranteed. “Comprehensive and significant measures to reform the rule of law, combat high-level corruption and eliminate oligarchic influences must be taken”, the report adds.
The Commission also points out that the country’s alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy remains low (49%).
The report looks back at the legislative elections of 26 October, during which a number of shortcomings were identified (see EUROPE 13514/4). These are “serious irregularities” which “consolidate a trend that is distancing the country from the EU, its values and its principles”, according to Mr Borrell. “Constructive and inclusive dialogue across the political spectrum is now essential”, the Commission stresses in its report.
See the report: https://aeur.eu/f/e3i (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)