The Council takes good note of the Communication from the Commission of 8 November 2023 on the EU Enlargement Policy including the reports on Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo∗ , Türkiye, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova (hereinafter: Moldova) and Georgia.
The Council reaffirms its commitment to enlargement in line with the renewed consensus on enlargement approved by the European Council in December 2006 and subsequent Council and European Council conclusions. In line with previous Council conclusions, and in the framework of the Copenhagen political criteria, the Council reaffirms the need for fair and rigorous conditionality, the principle of own merits and reversibility. The Council stresses the importance of ensuring that the EU can maintain and deepen its own development, including its capacity to integrate new members. The Council continues to expect partners to take ownership and demonstrate the credibility of their commitments and political will through the implementation of necessary reforms and tangible progress on the fundamentals.
Enlargement is a geo-strategic investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity. It is a driver for improving the economic and social conditions of European citizens, reducing disparities between countries, and must foster the values on which the Union is founded. Looking ahead to the prospect of a further enlarged Union, both the EU and future Member States need to be ready. Aspiring members need to step up their reform efforts, notably in the area of rule of law, in line with the merit-based nature of the accession process and with the assistance of the EU.
In parallel, the Union needs to lay the necessary internal groundwork and reforms. We will set our long-term ambitions and the ways to achieve them. We will address key questions related to our priorities and policies as well as our capacity to act. This will make the EU stronger and will enhance European sovereignty.
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine shows that enlargement also is a strategic priority. Recalling in this context the Thessaloniki Agenda of 2003 and the European Council conclusions of June 2022, the Council confirms its full and unequivocal commitment to the EU membership perspective of the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, reiterating that their future lies within the European Union. Türkiye remains a candidate country and a key partner in many areas of joint interest.
Respecting and committing to promoting the values on which the EU is founded, and meeting the obligations required for EU membership, are essential for all partners who aspire to join. The Council reiterates that the rule of law is a fundamental value on which the EU is founded, and remains an indispensable requisite for progress towards EU membership. Sustained and irreversible reform achievements on the rule of law and fundamental rights, the functioning of democratic institutions, including de-polarisation, public administration and economic criteria remain the key benchmarks against which progress towards EU membership is assessed.
The protection of fundamental rights lies at the heart of the EU’s values. The Council pays particular attention to partners’ progress in this area, recalling that credible measures to address reported shortcomings is an overall priority. In this context, the Council reiterates the importance of upholding the rights of the child and the rights and non-discriminatory treatment of persons belonging to minorities and persons in vulnerable situations, such as the Roma, persons with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons, and persons belonging to national minorities. On gender equality, the Council reiterates that empowerment and the full enjoyment of fundamental rights of women and girls must be ensured. The Council recalls that freedom of expression, media freedom and pluralism are key pillars of a democratic society and concrete and tangible results in these crucial areas remain essential.
The Council also underlines the need for partners to progress on comprehensive justice reform, the fight against corruption, including de-oligarchisation, and the fight against organised crime. The Council recalls that a solid track record on final convictions and seizure and confiscation of criminal assets continue to be required in the fight against organised crime.
