Marta Kos would accelerate EU enlargement

"If confirmed as Commissioner for Enlargement, I will fully commit over the next five years to ensuring that as many countries as possible in the enlargement process reach the point where they are fully prepared to take on the obligations of EU membership and conclude accession negotiations," wrote Marta Kos in her responses to the European Parliament's written questions.

The candidate for European Commissioner for Enlargement will be heard by the parliamentary foreign affairs committee on November 7. Written responses to questions are part of the preparation for the hearing and represent an unofficial commitment of the candidates to the European Parliament, for example, regarding close cooperation with it and its committees.

Among the EU's priority tasks

According to Marta Kos, the current geopolitical situation has "put enlargement at the forefront of the EU's political priorities and confirmed enlargement policy as a key driver of peace, freedom, and prosperity on our continent." When a new member might join again (the last was Croatia in 2013) is uncertain. The year 2030 is mentioned in discussions in Brussels as the year when both sides should be ready for enlargement. This goal was first set last year at the Bled Strategic Forum by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

In the short term, Marta Kos will strive, for example, to close negotiation chapters with Montenegro, open the remaining negotiation clusters with Albania, and open the negotiation cluster on fundamental issues such as the rule of law with Moldova, North Macedonia, and Ukraine. She announced efforts to ensure that bilateral issues do not hinder the enlargement process. Recently, North Macedonia has been the target of Bulgarian blockades.

As Commissioner, she will also develop a communication strategy to better present enlargement both in candidate countries and member states.

EU enlargement has been in the spotlight since the start of the Russian invasion. Moldova has also become a candidate for membership. PHOTO: Vladislav Culiomza/Reuters

If a candidate country regresses in respecting fundamental values, Marta Kos mentions options provided in the negotiation frameworks. These include freezing negotiations, postponing the opening of new chapters, and in the most severe cases, suspending the entire negotiation process. Negotiations with Turkey have been stalled since 2018, and regarding Georgia, the EU decided in June that the current direction of the country threatens its European path and leads to the suspension of the accession process.

What about EU finances?

A particular issue will be the impact of future enlargements on the EU budget and member states' contributions. A major topic will also be EU reform, especially the efficiency of its functioning if it expands. Marta Kos mentions the so-called bridging clauses, which are already provided for in EU law and in some cases allow a transition from unanimous decision-making to qualified majority voting. She also suggests considering that unanimity should no longer be mandatory at every step in the enlargement process.