2019 Package on Enlargement of the European Union

Romanian Ministry of External Affairs welcomes the Annual Package on the Enlargement of the European Union, published by the European Commission on May 29, 2019. Communication from the Commission reconfirms EU’s commitment towards advancing the enlargement policy, based on merits of candidate and potential candidate countries – a goal that aligns with the special importance attached by Romania, while having the Presidency of the Council of the EU, to this EU policy that has proven successful and has created added value.

In that context, Romania’s Presidency of EU Council welcomes the latest Enlargement Package, published under its current mandate, through which the current European Commission contributes to keeping the enlargement policy at the top of the European agenda and to supporting partner countries in taking the necessary steps forward in this process.

As holder of the EU Council Presidency, Romania shares approach taken by the European Commission on transformative role of the European perspective and on the role of the enlargement policy as a long-term investment in safeguarding peace, stability, economic growth and security in Europe. Romania particularly welcomes the emphasis of the Commission, as presented in the 2019 Enlargement Package, on the fact that enlargement policy safeguards EU’s own political, security and economic interests and that EU must live up to its commitments in order to consolidate sustainability of positive processes that have been taking place in the entire region.

Enlargement policy is a constant priority pursued by Romania’s EU Council Presidency in its external action efforts. It is also reflected in its Work Program as the most effective instrument that has succeeded in spreading European values in EU neighborhood along the years. European Commission is an important partner of Romania’s EU Council Presidency in promoting this file, in order to achieve objectives related to partner countries in the region.

One of the most outstanding developments of the last year, as highlighted by the Commission, is the historic Prespa Agreement, concluded between Republic of North Macedonia and Greece, which is testimony to the power of attraction of the European perspective, which makes it possible to advance towards a stable and prosperous common future. Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Romania’s EU Council Presidency supports the need to build on those historic developments and expand their positive effect to the entire region, by moving to the next step, namely that of using the negotiation instruments specific to EU accession.

To that end, Romania’s EU Council Presidency welcomes as a positive signal the European Commission’s recommendation on opening EU accession negotiations with the Republic of North Macedonia and Albania, while it rests with Member States to decide thereon in the Council.

Romania’s EU Council Presidency will continue to pursue adoption of Council Conclusions on enlargement and stabilisation and association process, based on recommendations of European Commission and in line with decisions adopted in GAC of June 26, 2018, aiming at making progress and facilitating the political decisions on enlargement partner countries.

Source:Romania2019.eu