The European Commission has advanced the enlargement process by recommending opening accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova while offering candidate status to Georgia. Announced on November 8, this marks significant progress from the June 2022 opinions. Now member states have pivotal role in decision-making. The move defers leveraging political conditionality to incentivise reforms. To ensure positive outcomes, the EU must implement a more nuanced conditionality, synchronise EU reform with staged accession, and develop a broader approach to democracy support beyond formal criteria.
The Commission has moved the enlargement process forward decisively with the so-called trio of Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. Its recommendation that the EU opens negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova was widely predicted; its call for Georgia to be offered candidate status was more in doubt. These opinions published on 8 November open the door to major steps forward in the accession process.
In contrast with the Commission opinion of June 2022, this new evaluation signifies a marked leap forward for all three countries, conferring the much-sought candidate status upon Georgia and signalling readiness to start the accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. The Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to Eastern enlargement and showcased a strong political resolve to address the geopolitical implications stemming from Russia’s war in Ukraine.