The European Union is discussing new approaches to expanding the bloc that should prevent situations where new members retreat from the principles of democracy and the rule of law after joining. To address this, long-term safeguard mechanisms are planned to be included in accession treaties for future states.
Source: PRYAMYI
According to Politico, one of the key examples for implementing the new rules could be Montenegro, which has almost completed the negotiation process for joining the European Union.
Montenegro’s President Jakov Milatović said he had already discussed the format of the country’s future accession to the EU with representatives of European institutions and member states. In particular, this issue was raised during his recent visit to Ireland, which will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026.
In Brussels, officials are considering including special long-term safeguard provisions in Montenegro’s accession treaty. These would allow the EU to respond if the country were to retreat from democratic standards or the rule-of-law principle after joining.
A representative of the European Commission noted that this document could become the basis for future accession treaties for new members of the European Union.
The EU is also taking into account its experience in relations with Hungary. During the premiership of Viktor Orbán, Budapest repeatedly clashed with partners in the bloc and last month blocked the 20th package of sanctions against Russia and a €90 billion aid package for Ukraine.
It is expected that a draft accession treaty for Montenegro will be prepared by a special working group with the participation of all EU member states. The group is planned to be created during Cyprus’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said the European Commission is already finalizing the preparation of the draft document, although the exact timing of its presentation has not yet been announced.
At the same time, according to EU diplomats, France is expressing reservations about actively promoting enlargement. Paris is maintaining a cautious position ahead of the country’s presidential elections scheduled for 2027.