MEPs to discuss 2020 enlargement package with Commissioner Várhelyi
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5. Oktober 2020 In Aktuell, EN

MEPs to discuss 2020 enlargement package with Commissioner Várhelyi

The Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement will present the 2020 Enlargement Package and the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans to Foreign Affairs MEPs on Tuesday.

Besides taking stock of the situation in the candidate countries and potential candidates in the Enlargement Package, Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi will present a plan that should stimulate the long-term recovery, boost economic growth and support reforms in the Western Balkans in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

Each year, the Commission adopts its “Enlargement package”, a set of documents explaining its policy on EU enlargement. The package includes a Communication on enlargement, which sets out the way forward for countries aspiring to join the EU. It also contains the reports in which the Commission presents its detailed assessment of the progress each candidate and potential candidate has made in fulfilling the criteria for membership.

This year, the Commission will also present the Economic and Investment Plan, which should concentrate on flagship areas and projects that will directly create long-term growth and jobs as well as an attractive investment climate in the Western Balkans.

Background

Despite expectations, the European Council only agreed on opening the accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia in March 2020, after the Commission published the revised enlargement methodology. The methodology aims to make EU accession negotiations more effective and make the enlargement process more credible.

Montenegro started accession negotiations in 2012 and Serbia in 2014, while Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential candidates.

The negotiations with Turkey started in 2005, but since the country has been backsliding in the areas of democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights, the General Affairs Council decided in June 2018 to freeze accession negotiations with Turkey.

The Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) is the main funding tool used by the EU to support reforms in the ‚enlargement countries‘. The third generation of this financing instrument is currently being negotiated between co-legislators.

Meeting

When: Tuesday, 6 October, 15.15-16.15 CET.

Where: European Parliament’s Antall building in Brussels, room 4Q2 and by video link

You can watch it live here.

No interpretation shall be provided due to the plenary sitting.