Asked about the potential relaxation of integration criteria for Balkan countries, the EC’s press service has told for RFE that enlargement is now viewed not only in terms of economic benefits, but also in a security context.
The EC spokesperson confirms that Ukraine’s future integration into the EU is part of the peace negotiations, but Brussels declines to prejudge the outcome. Enlargement Commissioner Kos is an advocate for reconsidering the right of veto for future members, aiming at easier integration, an EC source has told RFE.
The Commissioner still hasn’t spoken publicly about that possibility, while the RFE source indicates that her position does not have full support even within the EC. Additionally, unofficial sources from the EC estimate that President von der Leyen may support such an idea if it is the price to be paid for ending the war in Ukraine.
North Macedonia’s Government tells RFE that it is ready to adapt to possible changes within the EU.
“In essence, this would mean membership and institutional presence in the EU from 2027, but with limited decision-making capacity, gradual and conditional integration, and strong monitoring until full alignment with the European system. As the Government, we are fully aware of the dynamic changes taking place and the need to reasonably anticipate these changes and adapt to them”, it points out.