French President Emmanuel Macron wants to reform the accession procedure for admitting new EU countries. Only then does he want to discuss the possible admission of new countries. He has now put his plans on paper.
At the end of last week, Paris sent a proposal to the European governments with ideas for a new enlargement strategy. The core of this is tougher demands for the negotiation process, including the possibility to reverse an admission. As a result, such negotiations are expected to take even longer.
According to Macron, the current accession procedures are no longer suitable. To recreate support for admitting more countries, he advises reforming the process. France wants to divide accession talks into seven phases. Compliance with European standards for the rule of law should be addressed first. Furthermore, the admission process should be able to be frozen, for example in the case of Turkey.
Last month, France, Denmark, and the Netherlands refused to start negotiations on EU membership with North Macedonia and Albania. The European Commission, incoming Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and outgoing European Council President Donald Tusk were highly negative about this. According to the European Parliament, this stance was also a strategic mistake.
Most EU countries believe that Paris is using the long-standing dissatisfaction with the current situation as an excuse to keep North Macedonia and Albania out. According to the European Commission and most other EU countries, these two countries are ready to begin accession negotiations.
The EU wants clarity on the two Balkan countries before the Balkan summit in May in Zagreb. Dutch Minister Blok said he will not be pressured by time constraints. For the Netherlands, it remains essential that new EU countries show real progress before they are ready for accession.
The Netherlands has long been insisting within the EU on measures against crime by roaming thief gangs, tackling corruption, and greater independence of the judiciary. Therefore, the Netherlands still does not want to allow some EU countries visa-free travel and threatens measures against EU countries that are too lax.
The Dutch minister stated that several EU countries are open to adjustments and improvements of the admission procedure. Whether the French proposal will remain fully intact will still have to be seen.