The European Commission has unveiled proposals designed to prepare the European Union for admitting new member states. In Brussels, officials are seeking to update the EU’s decision-making processes, strengthen safeguard mechanisms, and allow candidate countries to gradually participate in selected areas even before formally joining the Union.
EU enlargement is once again back on the agenda. Countries currently seeking membership or progressing in the accession process include Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro, and Albania.
More Members, Greater Pressure on Current Rules
The European Commission warns that a larger EU will require changes to how decisions are made. With more member states at the table, reaching agreement becomes more complicated.
One proposal is to use qualified majority voting more often in areas that currently require unanimity. This shift aims to reduce the risk of a single country blocking key decisions.
Debate over such reforms has been ongoing within the EU. In March 2026, the European Parliament backed wider use of qualified majority voting, including in some steps related to enlargement.
Brussels Wants New Safeguards for Future Members
Changes to voting rules are not the Commission’s only proposal. There are also calls to reinforce mechanisms that would protect the EU’s functioning after new members are accepted.
For example, in cases of serious violations of European standards, mechanisms could be used to temporarily limit certain rights of new members, including their voting rights. These proposals are a response to past disputes over compliance with the rule of law in the EU.
The Commission also envisions transitional measures in accession treaties covering some areas, intended to soften potential economic or political shocks following enlargement.
Candidate Countries May Join Selected Programs Before Full Membership
A significant part of the proposals involves the gradual integration of candidate countries. This would allow them to begin participating in selected EU programs and areas before becoming full members.
Discussions focus on areas such as energy, transport, and defense. The idea is to help candidates gradually adopt EU rules and benefit directly from integration even prior to membership.
The EU already uses this approach when integrating candidates into the single market. However, full membership still depends on meeting established criteria and successfully concluding accession negotiations.
Ukraine and Moldova in the Spotlight
One of the biggest questions for future enlargement is the status of Ukraine and Moldova.
Ukraine gained candidate status in 2022, and formal accession talks with the EU began in 2024. By 2026, negotiations are ongoing in individual policy areas.
Moldova is also progressing along its own path. However, both countries must continue to meet reform requirements, with the pace of talks depending on their progress.
Aktualizovane.sk has previously covered Ukraine’s road to the EU in articles about the latest cluster of accession negotiations. The European Union has opened another cluster of talks with Ukraine.
Enlargement Does Not Guarantee Automatic Membership
The Commission’s proposals do not change the basic condition for membership. Candidate countries must meet requirements relating to democracy, the rule of law, a functioning market economy, and the capacity to adopt EU rules.
The final decision to admit new members remains with the existing member states, following procedures outlined in EU treaties. Holding candidate status does not guarantee automatic entry.
The proposed reforms are primarily intended to ensure the EU can function effectively if the number of members increases significantly in the future.
Balancing more efficient decision-making with protection of individual member state interests will remain a key challenge.
As with other major EU decisions, the real test will be how these new rules work in practice. The EU is also tightening conditions for Ukraine: further aid will depend on reforms.
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This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
