The European Commission is considering safeguards that would deny prospective member states automatic veto rights for several years after joining. Countries such as Moldova and western Balkan states would not immediately have the right to veto foreign policy decisions or other unanimity matters like taxation. Montenegro, the leading candidate among nine, could include a time-limited veto restriction in its accession treaty as a template for others. The proposal is linked to concerns after Hungary used veto power to block major EU decisions, including a 90bn loan for Ukraine. EU officials view the measure as legally borderline and potentially limited in duration to avoid creating second-class membership. Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz called for innovative solutions to speed western Balkan accession and urged associate membership for Ukraine.
"Under plans being considered by the European Commission, prospective member states such as Moldova and western Balkan countries would not, on joining the EU, have the automatic right to veto foreign policy decisions or other issues agreed by unanimity, such as taxation. The idea is especially pertinent for Montenegro, the frontrunner among nine official EU candidate countries. The former Yugoslav republic of 624,000 people is vying to become the EU's 28th member state by 2028."
"Against this backdrop, EU officials are considering safeguards on new joiners to prevent decisions being blocked by one member state, according to four EU sources. The idea emerged after a bruising experience with Hungary, whose previous pro-Russian government led by Viktor Orban vetoed several big EU decisions, notably a 90bn loan for Ukraine. A time-limited ban on veto powers could be written into Montenegro's accession treaty, which would serve as a template for others waiting in the wings."
"The safeguard is considered to be legally borderline and could only be introduced for a temporary period in order to avoid creating second-class EU members. This month a technical group tasked with drafting Montenegro's accession treaty met for the first time, a sign that the 14-year negotiations were entering the final stages."
"In a separate development, Germany's chancellor, Friedrich Merz, wrote to EU leaders last week calling for innovative solutions to accelerate EU accession for western Balkan countries. In a letter describing EU enlargement as a geopolitical necessity Merz also called for associate membership for Ukraine."
#eu-enlargement #veto-rights #foreign-policy #montenegro-accession #hungary-and-eu-decision-blocking
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