The European Union is developing new control mechanisms for countries that will join the union in the future. Brussels wants to eliminate the situation where new members can violate obligations or block important EU decisions.
The European Union is working on creating a system of protective mechanisms that will be applied to new states after they join the community. This was stated by the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi.
According to him, the European Commission is considering various control options, including transitional periods and special restrictions that will remain in effect even after a country receives full EU membership status.
"If a new member state adheres to the rules, there will be no problems. But if obligations are violated, the protective mechanisms will be activated strictly. This is the system we are currently creating," emphasized Várhelyi.
The Lesson from Hungary
The need to reform the rules in Brussels is explained by the experience of Hungary. In recent years, Viktor Orbán's government has repeatedly blocked the adoption of pan-European decisions, including those related to sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine.
Due to concerns about adherence to the principles of the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, the European Union has frozen more than 10 billion euros in funding for Hungary.
As a result, many EU countries advocate that such a situation should not be repeated after the next expansion of the community.
France, Germany, and the Netherlands believe that the accession of new states should be accompanied by additional guarantees for the preservation of democratic reforms and adherence to pan-European rules.
Montenegro Will Be the First Test
The first country where the new system is planned to be tested may be Montenegro. It is considered the most advanced candidate for EU membership among the Western Balkan states.
It is expected that the agreement on its membership will be the first to include mechanisms for monitoring compliance with obligations five, ten, and even fifteen years after accession.
According to European media, the EU is also discussing the possibility of temporarily limiting the veto power for new members to avoid blocking key decisions of the union.
The European Union is preparing for its largest expansion in recent years while simultaneously trying to protect itself from internal crises. The new control mechanisms are intended to ensure that future members will adhere to their commitments even after joining the EU.
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