Nicosia:The European Commission has approved a comprehensive package to review and prepare policies for the future enlargement of the European Union. This initiative aims to strengthen the Union's governance, policies, and budgetary frameworks in anticipation of new member states joining.

According to Cyprus News Agency, President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the geopolitical necessity of EU enlargement, stating that the measures are designed to ensure that a larger Union is also more resilient and effective. The package includes an assessment of existing policies and outlines how future accession treaties can be structured to support a larger membership. It proposes stronger sectoral and institutional safeguards to maintain commitments post-accession.

The package also aims to streamline the integration process, allowing candidate countries to gradually participate in selected EU policies, thereby enhancing their preparedness for membership. This approach will remain merit-based and conditional, focusing on administrative capacity and strategic alignment.

The proposed measures will inform strategic discussions among EU Member States, and guide collaboration with the European Parliament and the Council on necessary institutional and operational adjustments for future enlargements. The European Commission plans to continue advocating for more efficient decision-making processes, including the potential use of qualified majority voting in certain areas related to enlargement.

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