The EU’s new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) provides for an increase of 31 billion to 42.6 billion euros for candidate countries and the eastern neighbourhood.
“Accession talks with Montenegro, Albania, Moldova and Ukraine have never progressed faster, and many of our candidate countries have the ambition to conclude negotiations in the coming years. They are our most reliable partners, we are supporting them as much as we can, and the new MFF is reflecting this reality”, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said.
The proposal includes, she explained, a very significant increase in funding to match the increased speed of candidate countries.
“Every budget is our policy priorities cast in numbers, and with a bigger budget, we can further step up the pace of reforms and investments, bringing countries closer to EU membership”, the Commissioner noted.
The funding is based on two principles, based on merits and conditionality, that is, countries will only get funds if they fulfil certain criteria mostly laid out in the reform agendas.
“As I said, some candidates are working towards concluding negotiations during the next MFF or even earlier, and the Commission will work tirelessly to help them achieve this. Once they do, the next step will be to negotiate accession treaties that define elements such as the phasing in of structural and agricultural funds, as well as each country’s contribution to the EU budget”, Commissioner Kos noted.
Though she didn’t mention North Macedonia in her comments on progress by candidates, in Brussels, European Affairs Minister Orhan Murtezani said he was convinced the EU’s new budget would speed up enlargement. In that regard, he stated that enlargement was not only a geopolitical tool, but also space for common ambitions and values.
“North Macedonia stands ready to continue its journey in this spirit with renewed national resolve”, the Minister underlined.
According to him, the country has so far had a long road, with reforms, resilience, and a belief that the EU is primarily a union of values. In that regard, he stated that enlargement shouldn’t be hostage to identity policies, but rather guided by the Copenhagen criteria, in a clear manner and one that was applicable to all.