EU keen to add Balkan countries, rewriting methodology for admitting new states to counter French concerns
European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi speaks with journalists during a news conference at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels. February 5, 2020.
Unveiling a new methodology at Paris's request to admit new members, Varhelyi said enlargement was "geo-strategic", a reference to a view in the EU that the bloc cannot stem its waning global influence without stability in the Balkans., which were reported on Tuesday.The European Commission is to propose a tougher admissions procedure for new member states with a provision to re-open parts of the process if candidates are seen as backsliding.
The plan will be seen as an attempt to placate France, which has blocked the entry of Albania and North Macedonia into the club despite their having met the existing admissions criteria. But the draft, "enhancing the accession process: a credible EU perspective for the Western Balkans", calls for a "stronger political steer" from leaders inside and outside the union.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Merkel prepared for EU treaty changes as Brexit requires bloc to be more competitiveGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday she would be prepared to back cha...
Read more »
Factbox: UK's Johnson wants 'suite of agreements' to cover post-Brexit EU tiesBritain set out the type of deal it wants to agree with the European Union on Mo...
Read more »
Boris Johnson Is Already Battling With The EU Over Post-Brexit Trade TalksBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the EU's chief Brexit negotiator delivered clashing speeches on Monday. A rough ride could be ahead when both parties sit down later this year to thrash out their future relationship.
Read more »
The EU is seeking to heal years of infighting with new expenditure rulesIt's been a problem for more than 20 years, but the EU is finally looking at how to update its rules on government spending.
Read more »
Sterling to gain on hopes for UK-EU trade deal by year-end: Reuters pollSterling will be nearly 4% stronger in a year than it is now, according to a Reu...
Read more »
Brexit trade deal clash: UK and EU begin sparring over rulesThe EU and Britain clashed over a post-Brexit trade deal with Prime Minister Boris Johnson insisting he need not sign up to the bloc’s rules and Brussels warning of tariffs and quotas unless he did
Read more »