European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that the expansion of the European Union operates on a merit-based framework, asserting that candidate nations that successfully meet established criteria advance toward full membership. Speaking in Tivat ahead of the EU-Western Balkans summit, von der Leyen specifically assessed the integration progress of Albania and Montenegro. She indicated that the current environment presents favorable momentum to accelerate the integration processes for these candidate countries.
According to von der Leyen, the principle that enlargement is contingent upon demonstrated merit should not automatically equate to a slow procedural pace. The discussions highlighted the commitment to strengthening ties with the Western Balkans. Separately, during the summit proceedings, Haxhiu held a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Andrej Babiš.
During this discussion, Haxhiu formally requested Czech state support aimed at accelerating the broader integration efforts within the region. Overall, the statements from the European Commission leadership and the bilateral discussions underscore a shared focus on advancing the accession timelines for neighboring countries. The emphasis remains on ensuring that the EU enlargement process is structured, measurable, and capable of moving forward with increased speed for those nations demonstrating readiness for membership.
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the expansion of the European Union must proceed through a merit-based framework, asserting that candidate nations advancing toward full
What specific criteria must candidate nations meet to advance toward full EU membership?