Newcomers can already receive certain benefits of EU membership before their official accession. After joining, they remain subject to special conditions. This creates a form of trial membership, although the countries formally obtain the status of EU member state.
Trial Period
As expected, Brussels has proposed admitting four candidate member states for a trial period of 15 years, under various terminating conditions. Moreover, it is stipulated that Ukraine's agricultural and food exports can be gradually and cappedly admitted.
The proposal will be discussed by heads of state and government at the EU summit on October 15 and 16, possibly in the presence of President Zelensky. The phased accession (at the earliest in 2028) brings an end to nearly twenty years of deliberation on EU enlargement following the substantial 2005 expansion. Montenegro hopes to become the 28th EU member as early as 2028.
Promotion
Inevitable
Since then, about ten countries have been considered candidate members, facing numerous reservations and hesitations for years. Due to the outbreak of the Russian war against Ukraine and hybrid warfare actions against other European countries, EU enlargement and strengthening are increasingly regarded as inevitable by more EU countries.
Brussels also wants to prevent individual countries from blocking the accession of candidate countries for years. Decisions within the EU could henceforth be made with a qualified majority. This reform is politically sensitive. The abolition of unanimity requires the consent of all member states.
Ukrainian Agriculture
The enlargement plan contains special conditions for Ukraine. Brussels intends to significantly limit the access of certain agricultural products to the European market. Ukrainian farmers would also not immediately be entitled to full European agricultural subsidies. The size and high productivity of Ukrainian agriculture play an important role: many EU farmers fear strong competition.
Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotsky opposes permanent export restrictions. Kyiv does accept temporary import quotas, transition periods, and a gradual introduction of agricultural subsidies but demands a clear end date.