European Parliament votes in favor of enlargement report (but reminds Albania and Montenegro of conditions)

2026-03-11 16:21:54Politikë SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

European Parliament votes in favor of enlargement report (but reminds Albania

The European Parliament voted today with 385 votes in favor, 147 against and 98 abstentions on the report on the enlargement of the European Union. Although the document emphasizes that the cost of non-enlargement would be greater than that of accepting new members into the EU, the European Parliament reminds candidate countries that they must fulfill the conditions and reforms required by the European Union without any compromise.

The report states that Montenegro and Albania have already set ambitious targets for the completion of accession negotiations in 2026 and 2027 respectively. According to MEPs, the EU should encourage these countries to accompany their ambition with the implementation of concrete reforms. They also call on the European Council to recognise this moment and remove any obstacles that may exist on the part of the European Union.

But MEPs stress that no country should be treated as part of a package deal and that there can be no shortcuts without fulfilling the EU's fundamental values ​​and principles. According to the report, the enlargement process must remain merit-based and reversible if reforms are not implemented.

The rule of law, democratic reforms, judicial independence and the fight against corruption must remain the main requirements of the enlargement process.

MEPs also call for stronger monitoring of reforms in candidate countries, especially within the first group of chapters, "Fundamentals".

The report also emphasizes that non-enlargement of the European Union would create the risk of the formation of geopolitical gray areas, vulnerable to the influences of foreign powers outside the European continent.


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