Commissioner Várhelyi’s new methodology to overcome enlargement deadlock

Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for the Neighborhood and Enlargement Policy, presented a new enlargement methodology for the Western Balkans in a plenary session of the European Parliament. In the debate, Fidesz MEP Kinga Gál, spoke of the Hungarian Commissioner’s commitment to enlargement, as Várhelyi made a results-oriented, well-founded and effective proposal for a flexible enlargement methodology in a very short time.

Kinga Gál welcomed the proposal of Commissioner Várhelyi, which is able to overcome the deadlock on the Western Balkans. “The proposal could provide a bridge between Member States in favor of starting accession negotiations with the Western Balkans and those skeptical of enlargement; the Commissioner deserves praise for coming up with a well-founded and effective solution in such a short time,” she said, “just in time for a possible solution at the March EU summit and for the start of accession negotiations with Northern Macedonia and Albania before the EU-Western Balkans summit in Zagreb in May.”

Andor Deli pointed out in his remarks that he acknowledges “the work of the new European Commission and Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi.” The Fidesz-KDNP MEP continued, “In my opinion, 2020 will be decisive for the enlargement of the European Union. It is my hope that the new enlargement methodology will stimulate processes and there will be a candidate country by 2025 ready for EU membership.”

“Regarding the acceptance of the new methodology, there is positive feedback from both the Western Balkans and the EU Member States. The accession negotiation may be more effective due to the grouping of chapters, as it will be possible to open several chapters at a time,” Deli said, adding that “it is also important that once the chapter groups have been closed, EU funds in this area will be made available. This will make the benefits of EU membership tangible for citizens and businesses in the region.”

“One of the great advantages of the new methodology is that it can be flexibly applied to countries that have already begun the negotiation process, such as Serbia. Grouping chapters can certainly further accelerate the integration process,” Deli concluded. MEP Kinga Gál also emphasized that “it is in our interest for Europe and for us Hungarians to make the enlargement of the Western Balkans efficient and successful as soon as possible. Therefore, any action taken by the Commission to promote this objective is of paramount importance.”