Future EU enlargement must be accompanied by a revision of the treaties and of the institutional setup

The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament welcomes today’s adoption by the plenary of the report on deepening EU integration in view of future enlargement, calling for a robust mechanism to monitor the reforms and progress made by the candidate countries, while protecting fundamental values and the financial interests of the Union in the context of accession procedures.

Our political group insisted on several urgent steps to be implemented, such as reinforcing the European Parliament’s decision-making and scrutiny rights, as well as a fundamental reform of the Union’s policies and decision-making to prepare the EU for enlargement.

Renew Europe MEP, Petras Auštrevičius (Lithuanian Liberal Movement), AFET rapporteur on this file said:

“We are now on the threshold of a new European history, with the opportunity to strengthen the EU from within and to fundamentally complete the process of European unification. The candidate countries in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans can and must repeat the successes of the enlargement process so far. In return, the EU must provide the clearest possible playing field during the process and to prepare for future enlargement by improving the functioning of its institutions and the efficiency of its decision-making process. Let’s not forget that we are only strong and influential when we are united.”

Accession of new Member States can only take place if the EU’s institutional setup is first revised and made fit for purpose through Treaty change, which should include the abolishment of unanimity voting in the Council, a streamlined Article 7 procedure and a stronger institutional role for the European Parliament.

Renew Europe MEP, Sandro Gozi (L’Europe Ensemble, France), AFCO shadow rapporteur, believes that the deepening and enlargement of the EU must go hand in hand:

“There are times when an entire generation must stand up and face historical challenges. This is one of those moments. With 27 members, the Union is not in a position to take its responsibilities. With new Members incoming and without reforms, the EU will be completely paralysed. We must live up to this challenge and launch a revision of the treaties to democratise the Union, to step up our common policies and our budget in view of future enlargements. Let's reform the Union to unify the continent!”