EU must prioritize enlargement, especially for Ukraine and Moldova
The expansion of the European Union should be a top priority for 2025, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola stated ahead of the European Leaders’ Summit.
Brussels should significantly increase its support, especially for Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, and adopt an optimistic outlook on EU enlargement, Metsola said, as quoted by Politico.
Metsola acknowledged Russia’s continued interference destabilizing Moldova, Georgia, and the Western Balkans, and reiterated the European Parliament’s commitment to promoting the Growth Plan for Moldova, a reform program the EU will finance with €1.8 billion over the next three years.
“Russia’s ongoing interference destabilizes Moldova, Georgia, and the Western Balkans, and our response must be decisive. Enlargement, as discussed at yesterday’s Western Balkans Summit, is not just an aspiration but a geopolitical necessity, emphasized by both European Parliament members and our Western Balkan partners. The looming threat of a blackout on January 1st could galvanize support for an immediate solution to help Moldovans pay unaffordable bills if energy supplies are cut off on December 31st,” said Metsola.
At the European Council, Metsola urged the 27 heads of state or government to take decisive action to strengthen Europe’s global position, emphasizing support for Ukraine and Moldova, including their potential EU membership.
The European Parliament President underlined the geopolitical necessity of EU enlargement and urged candidate countries to implement genuine reforms, advocating for a merit-based integration process.
She cited the joint European efforts for Romania and Bulgaria’s Schengen accession as an example in the EU enlargement discussion.
President Metsola’s remarks at the European Council 19th December 2024, Brussels
Translation by Iurie Tataru
