The European Union is the result of an ever-evolving integration and enlargement process. After the establishment, in 1951, by six countries – Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands – of the European Coal and Steel Community, the forerunner of today’s European Union, there were several enlargement waves. Those in 1973, 1981, 1986, 1995 and 2004 were followed, in 2007, by the wave that included Romania and Bulgaria, and by another one in 2013. The 2013 enlargement was the last one in a decade. In 2020, the EU lost one of its members, Britain, following the famous Brexit, which left the European bloc with only 27 members. In order to join the EU, candidates must prove that they are able to fully assume the role of members of the Union, which is to rigorously fulfill all the accession criteria. In other words, the enlargement policy involves an often difficult process, but which, in the end, should bring benefits to both parties – the candidates and the European Union.
The EU leaders discussed this weekend in Granada, Spain, about the perspectives of EU enlargement. Romania, represented by President Klaus Iohannis, supports the accession process of the neighboring Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, as well as that of the countries in the Balkans. Nevertheless, it believes it would be ‘unrealistic’ to advance deadlines for enlargement. Klaus Iohannis: „Taking a decisive step as regards Ukraine or Moldova, will not be decided tomorrow. There are talks that will lead to a strategic agenda for the coming years. For me personally and for us, in Romania, it is obviously very important that Ukraine and Moldova take quick steps towards European integration, which is why we conducted a very strong lobbying.”
As many as 5 Western Balkan states have candidate status at present and, in some cases, have initiated accession negotiations. These states are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. Let’s not forget Turkey, which also wants to be part of the Union. Kosovo, whose independence is recognized only by some of the EU states, applied for membership in 2022. In Eastern Europe, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine received the status of candidate countries in 2022. Georgia also hopes to receive it. Chisinau and Kyiv would like the accession negotiations to begin as soon as possible, and the European Parliament has just passed a resolution asking the Commission to start these procedures with the Republic of Moldova sooner.
Roxana Vasile, Radio Romania International
