Mission: Enlargement, but inside the rules

Where is the EU heading to? Which candidates will be in the boat, and how do they get in?

While someone might wonder what are the plans of eg. ?eljka Cvijanovi? or Milojko Spaji? (the Bosnian-Hecegovinian Chairwoman of the Presidency or the Montenegrin Prime Minister), it is easier for the EU: the President Ursula von der Leyen has published a Mission Letter to Marta Kos, the Commissioner for Enlargement. The letter dates September 17th, 2024, it is worth reading after all the Commissioners became confirmed by the EU parliament.

Finding a strategy becomes even a bigger issue for the concerned countries after the newly elected US president started his announcements and the EU gave the first response. "EU enlargement is an imperative" cites the press and many are happy with this interpretation. But even so this interpretation is not wrong, it cannot be found like that in the mission. On page four, on the bottom, it reads "further completing our Union is a geostrategic, economic and moral imperative."

In the 3 1/2 pages before comes a list of instructions that are less popular to many responsables, European or Balkanese:

• a common plan for European strength and unity - working together is more important than being busy with single interests that disturb the neighbors.
• security, prosperity and democracy. In that order. It shows a clear reference to the ongoing war, the lack of growth and the wish to strengthen the democracy even further - and not to roll it back as some countries might be tempted to try.
• make Europe faster and simpler. Not only Elon Musk has such a goal, and while Europe will not use the method to just send a twit to every government employee suggesting him to resign nor to centrally scrub the websites of wording esteemed inefficient, the goal remains the same.

Every member of the commission is asked to support candidate countries to prepare for joining our Union, independent if you are responsible for fishery or intergenerational fairness. A clear commitment. But it also shows the importance not to miss any field of the large 'acquis', because adhesion is not doable with a deal on one sector alone.

Next in the mission letter there is reference to four reports

1. Draghi Report on the future of European competitiveness
2. Niinist? Report on how to enhance Europe's civilian and defense preparedness and readiness
3. Report from the Strategic dialogue on the future of EU Agriculture
4. Letta report on the future of the Single Market.

giving some more homework to do for the candidate countries. Because when they will join, these plans will be in implementation. So, when you see the next time the cows walking along the road when traveling the Balkans, you can start reflecting about the animal welfare labeling that you will have to print (and document) on their milk in some months.

Then comes - still before any enlargement mission - a full page on communication, visibility and transparency. Before you send a large delegation somewhere, explain who goes and why.

More guidelines follow:

• achieve the targets of the green deal
• reduce reporting obligations by at least 25 % – and for SMEs at least 35 %
• be fully digitally compatible

and only then comes the subject of enlargement, with the phrase cited above.

And also here you should not look for words about the issues that often fill the pages of the newspapers or the postings in the social media. There is no change from the old commissions: fully merit-based enlargement, progress towards meeting all criteria, structural reforms and political commitment are requested, and this will lead to gradual integration. Rule of law, fundamental values and resilience are other key words.

In this section comes the reference to the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. Remember, that is a plan worth six billion Euro (750 million Euro for North Macedonia), that the countries agreed on with the EU. For those who know the details, for North Macedonia the requested "reform plan for the state-owned railway" was due in January 2025, a measure that will bring the country 2 140 811,85 € if delivered. Hundreds of other steps follow, the next milestones are due in June 2025.

And only then, in the middle of page five, the first country is mentioned. It is Ukraine, worth two paragraphs.

The Belgrade - Pristina dialogue comes in the next paragraph, where regional integration, good neighborly relations, reconciliation, and the resolution of bilateral disputes are also requested.

And then it goes on with Turkey and the Black Sea Strategy, swings to the Southern Caucasus and terminates that the benefits of enlargement are to be clearly communicated to EU citizens and stakeholders, as to the citizens of enlargement partners.

It ends with some encouragement and the words "hit the ground running on day one"

Rather simple, isn't it? The word "Balkans" was used once. No space was devoted to extras, exceptions or wondering about special concerns. There is support. But no guarantee.

Follow the rules, communicate and get it done.

Read the full mission statement here.