A non-paper signed by Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg proposes a general template for future accession treaties to ensure that forthcoming EU enlargements strengthen rather than strain the Union. The document calls for enhanced safeguards in the rule of law, including a binding non-regression clause and an extended safeguard clause covering democratic principles and media freedom — as well as new protections against foreign interference and temporary limitations on voting rights for new Member States in specific areas requiring unanimity. The paper emphasizes that public and political support for enlargement depends on credible guarantees, making these discussions directly relevant to Western Balkans CSOs advocating for enlargement that upholds civic space. Read more here.
Source: European Western Balkans