EU enlargement policy – It’s time to work together and move forward

In today’s plenary session, the European Parliament debated the preparation for the European Council meeting with leaders of the Western Balkans on 23 June as well as the EU candidate status of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia. Fidesz MEPs Kinga Gál, Andrea Bocskor and Andor Deli stressed that they support the candidacy of the three countries and stand by accelerating the European integration of the Western Balkans.

MEP Kinga Gál, President of the Fidesz delegation in the European Parliament, emphasized: “The candidacy of these countries should be considered on the basis of the same values and conditions, and therefore, in addition to Ukraine and Moldova, Georgia and Bosnia and Herzegovina should be granted candidacy in a single step. Of course, all countries must meet the accession criteria; only in this way can the EU remain credible. The EU’s credibility depends on speeding up the accession process of the Western Balkan countries, and enlargement must be given new impetus. In the current geopolitical situation, the security and stability of the region are of particular importance and are in the Union’s fundamental interest. This requires advancing accession talks with Serbia and Montenegro, starting negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, and ensuring visa-free travel for Kosovo. It is time to work together and move forward in support of enlargement.”

MEP Andor Deli underlined: “I hope that Ukraine’s candidacy is not an empty promise like the one that the countries of the Western Balkans have been experiencing for the past decade or more. The enlargement process must be accelerated. Enlargement fatigue is a luxury the EU cannot afford in the present situation.”

“I am confident that a positive decision will be taken in the European Council, which will facilitate the peace process in war-torn Ukraine and its realisation of the criteria for candidate status, including the Copenhagen criteria, which also guarantee the rights of national and linguistic minorities”, MEP Andrea Bocskor highlighted.