DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 30 October 2024
Commission adopts 2024 Enlargement Package
Today, the European Commission adopted its annual Enlargement Package, providing a detailed assessment of the state of play and the progress made by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Türkiye, on their respective paths towards EU accession. The assessments are accompanied by recommendations and guidance on the reform priorities.
Enlargement is a historic opportunity both for the acceding countries and for the current Member States and the EU as a whole. There are significant socio-economic, political and security advantages of a bigger and stronger Union.
European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “The tense geopolitical context makes it more compelling than ever that we complete the reunification of our continent, under the same values of democracy and the rule of law. We have already taken great strides over the last years towards integrating new Member States. And enlargement will remain a top priority of the new Commission”.
The enlargement process continues to be merit-based and depends on the objective progress made by each of the partners. This requires determination to implement irreversible reforms in all areas of EU law, with special emphasis on the fundamentals of the enlargement process. Democracy, the rule of law and fundamental values will continue to be the cornerstones of the EU's enlargement policy. EU membership remains a strategic choice.
The enlargement process gained new momentum throughout 2023 and 2024. The fundamentals cluster was opened with Albania on 15 October 2024. Accession negotiations were opened with Ukraine and Moldova at the first intergovernmental conferences in June 2024. Having met the interim benchmarks for the rule of law chapters, Montenegro is on the way to provisionally closing further negotiating chapters. In March 2024, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The screening process was completed with both Albania and North Macedonia at the end of 2023.
In June 2024 the intergovernmental conference confirmed that Montenegro overall met the interim benchmarks for the rule of law chapters 23 and 24, providing the opportunity to proceed with provisionally closing further chapters if conditions are met. In the rule of law area and judiciary further progress is needed.
The Commission reiterates its assessment that Serbia has fulfilled the benchmarks to open cluster 3 (Competitiveness and inclusive growth). In the coming year, Serbia is expected to speed up the work on the implementation of EU-accession related reforms across the board, with a particular focus on the rule of law interim benchmarks as well as ensuring a truly enabling environment for civil society and media, making credible efforts to shut down disinformation and foreign information manipulation.
When it comes to Albania, the Commission welcomes the opening of negotiations on the fundamentals cluster at the second intergovernmental conference held on 15 October 2024. It is crucial for the authorities to further intensify the pace of EU oriented reforms, notably on the rule of law, consolidating the track record on law enforcement, on effectively fighting corruption and organised crime, and the promotion of fundamental rights, including media freedom, property rights, and minorities.
In the case of North Macedonia, the country needs to continue to deliver on the implementation of EU-related reforms, in particular under the fundamentals cluster, notably the judiciary, the fight against corruption and organised crime. Trust in the justice system needs to be strengthened. The screening sessions for all the six clusters of the EU acquis were completed in December 2023.
Bosnia and Herzegovina demonstrated tangible results including on migration management, full alignment with the EU's common and foreign security policy, as well as by passing legislation on integrity of the judiciary, anti-money laundering and conflict of interest. In March 2024 the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Commission is preparing the negotiating framework with a view to its adoption by the Council the moment all relevant steps set out in the Commission's recommendation of October 2022 are taken.
Kosovo submitted an application for EU membership in December 2022. The Commission remains available to prepare an Opinion on Kosovo's membership application as soon as the Council requests it. Progress was recorded in the fight against organised crime, and the business environment improved. Visa liberalisation for Kosovo entered into force on 1 January 2024. Kosovo needs to intensify its efforts to strengthen the rule of law and public administration and to protect freedom of expression.
The opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine has been an important recognition of Ukraine's determination to pursue reforms on the path of EU accession. Following the first intergovernmental conference in June 2024, the analytical examination of the acquis (the screening) is progressing smoothly. Subject to Ukraine meeting all the conditions, the Commission is looking forward to the opening of negotiations on clusters, starting with the fundamentals, as soon as possible in 2025.
The opening of accession negotiations has been an important recognition of Moldova's determination to pursue reforms on the path of EU accession despite facing continuous Russian interference and the impact of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Following the first intergovernmental conference in June 2024, the analytical examination of the acquis (the screening) is progressing smoothly. Subject to Moldova meeting all the conditions, the Commission is looking forward to the opening of negotiations on clusters, starting with the fundamentals, as soon as possible in 2025.
While in December 2023 the European Council granted candidate status to Georgia, its EU accession process has been meanwhile de facto halted due to the course of action taken by the Georgian government since Spring 2024. On 26 October 2024, the Georgian citizens voted in parliamentary elections. The preliminary findings of the joint International Election Observation Mission led by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) identified several shortcomings that occurred in a tense and highly polarised environment. The reported weaknesses include i.a. the recent legislative amendments to the election process, frequent compromises on vote secrecy, procedural inconsistencies, intimidation and pressure on voters that negatively impacted public trust in the process. These preliminary findings confirm the need for a comprehensive electoral reform that was already highlighted in past key recommendations.
Türkiye is a candidate country and a key partner for the European Union. Nonetheless, accession negotiations with the country remain at a standstill since 2018, in line with the decision of the Council. Serious concerns remain in the areas of fundamental rights and rule of law, including the independence of the judiciary. Dialogue on rule of law and fundamental rights remains an integral part of the EU-Türkiye relationship. Following the April 2024 strategic guidance of the European Council, relations with Türkiye were marked by a gradual re-engagement, and concrete steps were taken towards constructive exchanges on issues of joint interest.
Next steps
It is now for the Council to consider today's recommendations of the Commission and take decisions on the steps ahead in the enlargement process.
Background
EU enlargement will bring far reaching socio-economic benefits to its current and future members. The increase in the number of consumers in the single market will provide major opportunities for business to expand and trade more freely. To enable sustainable growth in the medium term and make progress in meeting the economic criteria for EU membership, it is increasingly important that enlargement countries accelerate structural reforms. This involves ensuring functioning market economies and demonstrating capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces in the EU. Economic policies should also support ambitious goals under the green and digital transition.
New tools and instruments are boosting the socio-economic growth in our partner countries. As the accession process accelerates, the EU is bringing forward some of the benefits of single market and providing increased financial assistance to enable our partners' gradual integration and anchoring in the EU. In addition to the successful Economic and Investment Plans, the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans with its €6 billion Reform & Growth Facility and the €50 billion Ukraine Facility are incentivising reforms, with justice and the rule of law at the core. In the same vein, on 10 October 2024, the Commission presented the Growth Plan for Moldova with its €1.8 billion Reform & Facility to support its socio-economic reforms and boost investment.
For More Information
2024 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy
Press conference remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell and Commissioner Várhelyi (available later)
Factsheet on the EU accession process
For detailed findings and recommendations on each country, see:
Albania: Report; Country factsheet
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Report; Country factsheet
Kosovo: Report; Country factsheet
Montenegro: Report; Country factsheet
North Macedonia: Report; Country factsheet
Serbia: Report; Country factsheet
Georgia: Report; Country factsheet
Moldova: Report; Country factsheet
Ukraine: Report; Country factsheet
Türkiye: Report; Country factsheet
Quote(s)
The tense geopolitical context makes it more compelling than ever that we complete the reunification of our continent, under the same values of democracy and the rule of law. We have already taken great strides over the last years towards integrating new Member States. And enlargement will remain a top priority of the new Commission.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
These past five years have been marked by unprecedented challenges, demonstrating the importance of a new momentum for EU enlargement. And our partners have taken it seriously. Now more than ever, EU membership is a strategic choice. Alignment with EU values, starting with the rule of law, and the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy is the most significant indication of strategic orientation in the new geopolitical context. Through our merit-based process, we are building together a stronger Union.
High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell
Enlargement represents a geostrategic investment in peace, stability, security, and socio-economic growth of our European continent. Our annual Enlargement Package provides a factual and fair assessment of our partners’ progress, coupled with clear guidance, enabling them to identify where accelerated reforms can drive their progress towards EU membership. With the dedicated Economic and Investment Plans, the Ukraine Facility as well as the Growth Plans for the Western Balkans and Moldova, we have put in place additional tools and instruments to help countries accelerate socio-economic convergence and reform efforts on their EU path.
Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement
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Former Finnish President Niinistö delivers his report on strengthening Europe’s civilian and miliary preparedness and readiness to President von der Leyen
Today, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen receives the report entitled ‘Safer together, strengthening Europe’s civilian and military preparedness and readiness,’ delivered by former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö. Together, they are participating in a press conference where the report will be presented, which can be followed live now on EbS.
President von der Leyen had asked former President Niinistö to produce this report in a statement ahead of the European Council meeting in March 2024. Beyond building up the EU’s capabilities, the President set a new ambition on crisis and security preparedness in Europe, and committed to work on a Preparedness Union Strategy.
The statement by President von der Leyen at today’s press conference with former President Niinistö is available shortly, online.
EU imposes duties on unfairly subsidised electric vehicles from China while discussions on price undertakings continue
Today the European Commission concluded its anti-subsidy investigation by imposing definitive countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from China for a period of five years. As previously disclosed, the investigation found that the BEV value chain in China benefits from unfair subsidization which is causing threat of economic injury to EU producers of BEVs. As a result, the duties will enter into force on the day following publication in the Official Journal.
In parallel, the EU and China continue to work towards finding alternative, WTO-compatible solutions that would be effective in addressing the problems identified by the investigation. The Commission also remains open to negotiating price undertakings with individual exporters, as is permitted under EU and WTO rules.
Countervailing duties imposed for five years
As from the entry into force of the measures, sampled Chinese exporting producers will be subject to the following countervailing duties:
Other cooperating companies will be subject to a duty of 20.7%. Following a substantiated request for an individual examination, Tesla will be assigned a duty of 7.8%. All other non-cooperating companies will have a duty of 35.3%.
Definitive duties will be collected as of entry into force. The provisional duties imposed on imports of BEVs from China on 4 July 2024 will not be collected.
Ensuring the effectiveness and fairness of measures
Going forward, the Commission will monitor the effectiveness of the measures in force, including to ensure that they are not circumvented.
Any exporting producer who cooperated and is subject to the sample average duty, or who is a new exporter, is entitled to request an accelerated review to establish an individual duty rate.
The measures will expire at the end of the 5-year period unless an expiry review is initiated before that date.
Importers may request a refund if they believe their exporting producer is not subsidised or if their subsidy margin is less than the duties paid by the importers. Such a request should be duly substantiated and supported by the respective evidence.
The investigation was announced by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, on 13 September 2023 during her State of the European Union (SOTEU) speech. This decision was based on growing evidence about the recent and rapid rise in low-priced exports of electric vehicles coming from China to the EU. The Commission followed strict legal procedures in line with EU and WTO rules, allowing all parties concerned, including the Chinese government and companies/exporters, to present comments, evidence and arguments.
Regulation
EU Trade Defence Policy
The EU remains the global champion for open, fair and rules-based trade. We welcome competition, including in the electric vehicle sector, but it must be underpinned by fairness and a level playing field. By adopting these proportionate and targeted measures after a rigorous investigation, we’re standing up for fair market practices and for the European industrial base. In parallel, we remain open to a possible alternative solution that would be effective in addressing the problems identified and WTO-compatible.
Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade
Related topics
Trade
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Statement by President von der Leyen on the presentation of the Niinistö report on strengthening Europe's civilian and military preparedness and readiness
Good morning,
Let me start with a few words on the dramatic situation in Valencia and across Spain. What we are seeing is devastating. Entire villages are covered in mud. People seeking refuge on trees, and cars swept away by the fury of the waters. Tens of people have lost their lives. Thousands are displaced. Therefore, our thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends, but also with the rescue teams. They are working tirelessly to bring as many as possible to safety. Europe is ready to help. We have activated our Copernicus satellite system to help coordinate the rescue teams. And we have already offered to activate our Civil Protection Mechanism. Europa está lista para ayudar. In just a few months, floods have hit Central and Eastern Europe, Italy and now Spain. This is the dramatic reality of climate change. And we must prepare to deal with it, all across our Union, and with all tools at our disposal. This leads me to the topic of today.
Dear Sauli Niinistö,
Seven months ago, together with the HR/VP, I asked you to write a report on how to enhance Europe's civilian and defence preparedness and readiness. Nobody is better equipped than you to take stock of current challenges and pave the way for a Union that is better prepared for future shocks and crises. Many events of these last years have been wake-up calls. Our lives have been disrupted by a pandemic; war has returned to Europe; and extreme weather phenomena are the new normal due to climate change. Europe is realising that the major crises of the past years are neither isolated nor transitory ones. Instead, they reflect deeper fault lines and ‘tectonic' geopolitical, climatic, and technological changes. In the face of these changes, we often have simply reacted. But we need to do more. We need to change our mindset. Preparedness must become part of the underlying logic of all our actions and address the full spectrum of threats and risks.
Let me give you some examples: First, as I said, there is climate change and its effect on our lives. Today, it is vital to monitor for example our forests from the sky because in the blink of an eye a spark becomes a blaze. Or take hybrid attacks and their many different forms: disinformation, the cynical weaponisation of migrants, cyberattacks, sabotage. One click can switch off power grids and plunge whole cities into the dark. Or take the economic risks we face, such as supply chain disruptions. We have broken free from the chains of our dependency on Russian fossil fuels. Now we need to reduce our other harmful dependencies on other items. And as a fourth example, you have military risks of course. Putin's war on Ukraine is the single biggest threat to our security. This year, Russia's defence expenditure is in the process of overtaking the collective amounts of all European Member States combined. So we need to step up our efforts, knowing that preparing for the worst can help preventing it from happening. Given the scale of these challenges, we need to work closer together and make a difference as Europeans.
Being adequately prepared for major threats requires working in a whole-of-government approach. That is the term, dear Sauli, that you are using in your report. This means, the ability to use in a concerted and coordinated fashion all the necessary tools and resources of public policy, mobilising authorities at all levels – national, local, and EU – according to their different roles. But this also requires a whole-of-society approach. Therefore, engaging the private sector, civil society and citizens. In other words, preparedness cannot be built in silos. Instead, preparedness requires interaction. This will be at the core of the Preparedness Union Strategy that the new Commission and the new HR/VP will present.
Dear Sauli,
I want to thank you personally for the excellent cooperation during the last months. Your work has already contributed to the Political Guidelines of the new Commission and to the mission letters of the Commissioner for the next mandate, and it will of course guide the work of the whole Commission in the years to come. The floor is yours.
Strengthening Europe's civil and military preparedness and readiness: Report by Special Adviser Niinistö
CALENDAR
Monday 28/10
Mr Margaritis Schinas in Bruges, Belgium: participates in the opening ceremony of the 75th academic year of the College of Europe.
Ms Stella Kyriakides in Copenhagen, Denmark (until 29/10): holds a bilateral meeting with Mr Hans Henri P. Kluge, Regional Director for Europe of the World Health Organization.
Tuesday 29/10
Ms Stella Kyriakides in Copenhagen, Denmark: delivers a speech at the the opening high-level segment of the 74th session of the Regional Committee for Europe of the World Heath Organization.
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