In parallel with the proposal from Germany and France, in an interview with Euronews, European Council President Costa proposed a simplification of the EU’s rules on accepting new members.
“We currently need to vote (…) more than 40 times to deliver in all the process”, he said, adding that the EU could look to “reduce the moments when we take decisions to streamline” the process.
Costa added that “bilateral issues” that could stall a country’s bid should be “addressed” between the countries in question, with support from the institutions, but not to their prejudice.
“I personally believe that we don’t need unanimity to open chapters and clusters. We just need unanimity to close chapters and clusters”, Costa explained.