Three and a quarter hours of questions and answers on the challenges of enlargement, interspersed with a deluge of allegations of espionage. Slovenian Marta Kos, European Commissioner-designate for Enlargement, was heckled by several radical right-wing MEPs at her hearing in the European Parliament on Thursday 7 November.
Despite these accusations and a few half-hearted responses, she was confirmed in her function by MEPs, with the EPP, S&D, Renew Europe, ECR and Greens/EFA groups voting in favour.
One of the new Commission’s top priorities is the enlargement of the European Union, initially to include the six countries of the Western Balkans - Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia and Kosovo - and then the other candidate countries - Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and Turkey. According to Marta Kos, it is a question of “weight on the international stage” and “defending European values”.
The former diplomat called for a “predictable, credible accession process, subject to strong political alignment and European commitment” on the part of the candidate countries. “I will not hesitate to propose corrective measures in the event of stagnation or backtracking on commitments made”, she warned, recalling that each process will progress “on the basis of the progress made”, and that it is vital to never “abandon quality in favour of speed”.
Ms Kos also pointed out that “the countries that applied later would not be competing with those that applied earlier”. “They must work hand in hand”, she pleaded.
Enlargement as a driving force for European progress. When asked about her approach to the various accession processes, the Slovenian often stressed three fundamental points: respect for European commitments, namely “the rule of law, human rights and EU principles”; alignment with the Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy; and “unfailing cooperation” with civil society in the candidate countries (see EUROPE 13511/8).
“Our principles are non-negotiable”, she reiterated. Asked by Michael Gahler (EPP, German) about the help the EU can provide to the candidate countries, the Slovenian spoke in favour of a two-pronged approach: “They do some of the work, but the rest is up to us. The geopolitical situation has an emotional influence on the aspirations of certain countries. If we want to be consistent, and we must be, we must defend the merit-based approach tooth and nail - while helping these countries”.
With some candidate countries having been waiting for a decade for the process to move forward, Marta Kos tried to provide reassurance. Yes, progress will be duly rewarded. The date of 2026, raised as the possible opening of all chapters with Albania, is indeed an aim.
“We need to build more Europe based on our values. If the country meets all the criteria, there will be no blockage”, she stated.
The Western Balkans issue. Several MEPs from central and eastern European countries questioned the Commissioner-designate on the various political issues surrounding the accession of the Western Balkans. Stanislav Stoyanov (ESN, Bulgarian) was vehement on the issue of amending the constitution of North Macedonia, the sticking point between Skopje and Sofia, which is currently hindering progress in the accession process.
“The candidate countries will have to carry out the reforms as planned”, warned Marta Kos. However, she reiterated the need “not to import bilateral issues into the negotiation process” in order to maintain the principle of advancement on merit.
Also asked several times about Serbia and its problematic alignment with Russia, Marta Kos was blunt: “If the reforms or commitments made are not respected, there will be no funds, for any candidate country. Everyone must align themselves with our policy. We cannot accept countries into the EU that do not respect European values” (see EUROPE 13515/2).
Eastern flank. Asked on several occasions about the EU’s support for Ukraine, Marta Kos reiterated the established principles. “Supporting Ukraine and repelling Russian aggression is an absolute priority, politically, economically and financially, using the full range of EU tools”, she promised.
“I will do my utmost to ensure that the enlargement negotiations are the guiding star for this heroic nation”, she added, pointing out that this also applied to Moldova. She also highlighted the reconstruction of the country, explaining that this should be done in cooperation with partner countries, and with the participation, she hoped, of many European companies.
With regard to Georgia, the Commissioner-designate called on the Georgian people not to give up and not to despair. “We are ready to continue with the enlargement process”, she explained, adding that the first condition was for the government to demonstrate that it was ready to continue on its European path, with the withdrawal of the laws on interference and on values and the family.
Caucasus/Eastern Partnership. Although Ms Kos’ mission letter does not mention the Eastern Partnership (see EUROPE 13485/8), it will be “a priority” for the Commissioner-designate, who pointed out that three of the six countries are candidates for EU membership.
“I will ensure that the accession policy is closely aligned with the neighbourhood policy. As such, we will be taking a fresh look at its design and at the tools of the Eastern Partnership, focusing on connectivity within the region and with the South Caucasus and the Black Sea towards Central Asia”, she promised.
Turkey. In response to Sebastian Tynkkynen (ECR, Finnish), who felt that the time had come to say that Ankara was no longer a candidate country, Ms Kos explained that she would continue to work with Turkey, “a candidate country and key partner of the EU”, but that the process would not continue without progress on the Cyprus question.
Internal reforms. Marta Kos was also asked about the need to carry out internal reforms within the EU in order to be able to assimilate the accession of new countries, particularly in the qualified majority voting system.
“The two processes are parallel”, she said, referring to her mission letter and the cooperation required with the other members of the College of Commissioners to “achieve the necessary reforms”.
Accusations of espionage. In a slightly tense atmosphere, the Slovenian was assailed on four occasions by several radical right-wing MEPs, who accused her of spying for the UDBA, the secret police of the former Yugoslavia, dissolved in 1991 with Slovenia’s independence.
The Commissioner-designate refuted these allegations, originally propagated by Romana Tomc, the head of the Slovenian delegation of the European People’s Party (EPP), stating that she had never had any connection whatsoever with intelligence in Yugoslavia. She eventually ignored these allegations, remaining resolutely silent when questioned by the MEPs. (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre and Camille-Cerise Gessant)