The EU must accelerate the process of admitting new members, including Ukraine, Montenegro, and other candidate countries awaiting accession.
According to Ukrinform, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kal-las made the remarks at the annual EU diplomats conference in Brussels, as reported by Politico.
Key Messages from Kal-las on Enlargement
«The EU must act faster to admit new members and expand the 27-member club»
– Kaja Kal-las
In her words, the EU must act faster to admit new members and expand the 27-member club, notably Ukraine, Montenegro, and other countries seeking membership.
«Expansion is the antidote to Russian imperialism and a sign that the most ambitious multilateral project in history, the European Union, is here to stay»
– Kaja Kal-las
She stressed that enlargement should be merit-based, but under current conditions the pace should be accelerated.
According to Eurobarometer, support for enlargement among the population remains substantial, which, in Kal-las’s view, indicates broad public sentiment in favor of a larger integration club.
Publications also note discussions between the European Commission and individual capitals about a faster or more moderate approach to enlargement. It is also mentioned that the upcoming EU Council Presidencies will focus on admitting new members and concluding negotiations with Ukraine by 2027, with a potentially longer path to full accession.
Note that official EU representatives state: the exact date of Ukraine’s accession depends on the merit principle, not on a single timetable.