On 5 February 2020, the European Commission adopted and published the EU’s new enlargement methodology, under the communication ”Enhancing the Accession Process – A Credible EU Perspective for the Western Balkans”.
This document expresses unequivocal support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans and merit-based prospects for full EU membership. In particular, the Commission sets out specific proposals to change the accession process as a whole. It refers to the need to improve effectiveness of the accession process and its implementation, as well as the importance of building greater trust among all stakeholders.
In that regard, the methodology defines guidelines for greater credibility, predictability and dynamism of the process, stronger political steering and dealing with structural weaknesses in the enlargement countries:
- A more credible process: The accession process needs to rest on solid trust. Mutual confidence and clear commitments by the European Union and the Western Balkans. The credibility should be reinforced through even stronger focus on the fundamental reforms, starting with the rule of law, functioning of democratic institutions and public administration, and functioning of economies in candidate countries. When partner countries meet the objective criteria, EU member-states agree to move forward to the next stage of the process, with due respect for the merit-based approach.
- A stronger political steer: The political nature of the accession process requires stronger steering and high-level engagement. The Commission proposes increased opportunities for political and policy dialogue at high level through regular EU-Western Balkans summits and intensified contacts at ministerial level. In addition, member-states should be more systematically involved in monitoring and reviewing the process. All bodies under the Stabilization and Association Agreement will focus much more on key political issues and reforms, while the intergovernmental conferences will provide for stronger political steering of accession negotiations.
- A more dynamic process: In order to inject further dynamism in the negotiations process, the Commission proposes negotiation chapters to be grouped into thematic clusters: Fundamentals; Internal Market; Competiveness and Inclusive Growth; Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity, Resources; Agriculture and Cohesion; and External Relations. Negotiations under each cluster will be opened as a whole, after fulfilment of the opening benchmarks, rather than on the basis of individual chapters. Negotiations for the cluster Fundamentals will be opened first and closed last, while process under these will determine the overall pace of negotiations. Timeframe between opening the cluster and closing the individual chapters should be limited, preferably within a period of one year, and fully dependent on progress in implementation of reforms.
- A more predictable process: This will ensure greater transparency on what the EU expects from the enlargement countries in different stages of the process. It will be much clearer what are positive consequences from progress in reforms and what are negative consequences in the absence of any progress.
The Commission hopes that EU member-states will approve this proposal together with the start of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania prior to the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Zagreb, scheduled for 6 and 7 May. At the Summit, the Commission will present a plan for economic and investment development of the region, assistance to bridge the gap in economic development, socio-economic integration and the rule of law in the Western Balkans.
Thematic clusters for negotiation chapters
Fundamentals
Chapter 23: Judiciary and
Fundamental Rights
Chapter 24: Justice, Freedom and Security
Economic Criteria
Functioning of Democratic Institutions
Public Administration Reform
Chapter 5: Public Procurements
Chapter 18: Statistics
Chapter 32: Financial Control
Internal Market
Chapter 1: Free Movement of
Goods
Chapter 2: Free Movement of Workers
Chapter 3: Right of Establishment and Freedom to Provide Services
Chapter 4: Free Movement of Capital
Chapter 6: Company Law
Chapter 7: Intellectual Property Law
Chapter 8: Competition Policy
Chapter 9: Financial Services
Chapter 28: Consumer and Health Protection
Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth
Chapter 10: Information
Society and Media
Chapter 16: Taxation
Chapter 17: Economic and Monetary Policy
Chapter 19: Social Policy and Employment
Chapter 20: Enterprise and Industry Policy
Chapter 25: Science and Research
Chapter 26: Education and Culture
Chapter 29: Customs Union
Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity
Chapter 14: Transport Policy
Chapter 15: Energy
Chapter 21: Trans-European Networks
Chapter 27: Environment and Climate Change
Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion
Chapter 11: Agriculture and
Rural Development
Chapter 12: Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policy
Chapter 13: Fisheries
Chapter 22: Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments
Chapter 33: Financial and Budgetary Provisions
External Relations
Chapter
30: External Relations
Chapter 31: Foreign, Security and Defence Policy