German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s proposals on enlargement, suggesting the possibility of granting Ukraine “associate membership” without voting rights as well as observer status, and offering the Western Balkans privileged access to the single market (see EUROPE 13872/3), have provoked mixed reactions among EU Member States. A majority of countries, however, believe that the priority should remain advancing the traditional accession process. Further discussions on enlargement and the practical implications of Germany’s ideas are nevertheless expected at the next European Council in June.
“What Chancellor Merz has proposed is a very interesting initiative. Obviously, it has given rise to a variety of opinions, including in Ukraine and among other Member States”, explained Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, whose country will take over the next Presidency of the Council of the EU on 1 July. “Our aim as a Presidency will be to take all this forward within the framework of the current methodology, which we believe can produce great results. If the Member States wish to modify it, this will undoubtedly be a debate that the leaders will have to have”, he said at the ‘General Affairs’ Council meeting on Tuesday 26 May in preparation for the next European summit in June.
Although the agenda for the next meeting of EU heads of state and government in June “does not plan for” a discussion on accession, “it is expected that this issue will be raised in the context of the next discussion on Ukraine”, an EU source told Agence Europe, stressing that “the focus is currently on the formal accession process”.
In recent days, the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has clearly stated on social networks that “Ukraine’s place in the European Union must also be complete – full and equal”.
Estonia and Poland were among the countries that most clearly rejected the German proposal, insisting on the opening of six thematic negotiating groups with Ukraine and Moldova by June. “There is currently no reason to focus on the German proposal”, said Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna. “We already have a process that has worked in the past and we want to concentrate on this one. This is the way forward”, added Polish Secretary of State Ignacy Niemczycki.
Sweden, Lithuania, Romania and Croatia have also called for progress to be made in opening negotiating groups with Moldova and Ukraine.
On the other hand, countries such as Finland, Denmark and Latvia were more open to discussing the details of the German Chancellor's proposal.
“Finland is open to different types of solutions when it comes to integrating Ukraine into the European family”, explained Minister for European Affairs Joakim Strand.
“We are ready to discuss how we can speed up the enlargement process even further, within the framework of a merit-based approach”, explained the Danish Minister for European Affairs, Marie Bjerre, while insisting that “the first step should be the formal opening of the negotiating groups, within the traditional framework”.
Austria has also indicated that it is open to a “constructive” discussion on the German proposals. “There are many similarities here with the Austrian model of progressive integration. But, ultimately, there cannot be two categories of candidate country. The same rules and requirements must apply to all applicants”, said the Austrian Minister for Europe, Claudia Bauer.
“We welcome all contributions and ideas. What is important for us at this stage is to support the strong momentum around enlargement”, which is “a merit-based process”, added the Spanish Secretary of State for European Affairs, Fernando Sampedro. “All these reflections are also useful for thinking internally about how the EU needs to be reformed, in particular by extending qualified majority decisions in order to be ready for enlargement”, he added.
At the end of the meeting, the Cypriot Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, explained that “we have made progress within the framework of the established methodology”, reaffirming the objective of holding intergovernmental conferences with Ukraine and Moldova before the end of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, by the end of June. (Original version in French by Ana Pisonero Hernández)