EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen has emphasized the essence of EU expansion, saying, “there’s a new sense of urgency to unite our European family.”
Speaking at the European parliament, von der Leyen said it is clear that the stability of every country in Europe also affects the EU’s stability. “Their security is our security,” she said.
She also warned that if the EU is not fast enough in bringing candidate countries closer, “others will fill the vacuum.”
“But it is in our geopolitical interest to complete our union, to make it stronger than ever and it’s not only about geopolitics. It’s of course also about economics.
“The completion of our union will make the new member states’ economies grow, it will make EU companies grow, it will also make our single market grow, making Europe an even more attractive and stronger partner in the global stage.”
Ursula von der Leyen
She asserted that prosperity is not only shared by enlargement, rather, it is multiplied.
“Enlargement is in our common interest so we must seize this moment of opportunity to advance as much as possible towards the completion of our union, “ she averred.
Prior to von der Leyen’s speech at the EU parliament, she announced that the European Commission recommends that the council open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.
Reacting to the announcement, Latvia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Krišjānis Kariņš, noted on social media that the EU now has an opportunity “to become a larger geopolitical force.”
He said, “By expanding the number of member states, we will be strengthening democratically based rule of law in Europe.”
“I strongly support the enlargement package presented by the European Commission today,” he added.
Also, Romania’s President, Klaus Iohannis, welcomed the “historic” recommendation to open accession negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine,
He called the decision “fully deserved recognition of their comprehensive reform efforts.”
Elina Valtonen, Finland’s Foreign Minister, embraced the EU enlargement package.
“It is delightful that so many people across Europe want to see their country as a member of the EU, a union of democracies,” she said.
“Rule of law, non-corruption and a well-functioning market economy pave the path to membership, benefiting all citizens. Merit-based enlargement makes the union more prosperous and resilient.”
Elina Valtonen
Notwithstanding, the leaders of the existing 27 member states must adopt the recommendations of the commission at their December 15 meeting.
If they approve them, which they are likely to, then the European Commission will send its negotiating team to Kyiv and Chișinău.
A Stronger EU
The European parliament President, Roberta Metsola, wrote on social media that “an enlarged EU means a stronger EU.”
She noted, “The European parliament welcomes the progress of countries that aspire to join the EU.”
“Today’s European Commission’s recommendations give renewed hope and a clear European path to millions of people towards a future of freedom, peace and stability,” she added.
Metsola said that she was “glad that Ukraine and Moldova are well on track towards opening of accession negotiations”.
The parliament “welcomes recommendation to grant candidate status to Georgia and to open accession talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina once conditions are met”, she added.
