Brussels, 15 December 2023 (MIA) - The European Union is ready to complete the opening phase of the accession negotiations with North Macedonia as soon as it has implemented its commitment to complete the constitutional changes as referred to in the Council conclusions of 18 July 2022, in line with its internal procedures, read Thursday's European Council conclusions on Ukraine, enlargement and reforms.

"The European Council calls on North Macedonia to accelerate the completion of these changes," the conclusions add. 

Reaffirming its full and unequivocal commitment to the EU membership perspective of the Western Balkans, EU leaders call for the acceleration of their accession process, MIA's Brussels correspondent reports. 

"The European Council takes note of the Commission’s Communication on a new growth plan for the Western Balkans, which aims to accelerate the socio-economic convergence between the Western Balkans and the European Union, based on strict conditionalities, and encourages the region to step up the pace of EU-related reforms and to advance regional economic integration through the Common Regional Market, based on EU rules and standards," says the European Council.   

In addition, the European Council remains committed to advancing the gradual integration between the European Union and the region during the enlargement process itself in a reversible and merit-based manner.  

"Recalling the Granada Declaration, the European Council underlines that enlargement is a geo-strategic investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity. It is a driver for improving the economic and social conditions of European citizens, reducing disparities between countries, and must foster the values on which the Union is founded. Looking ahead to the prospect of a further enlarged Union, both future Member States and the EU need to be ready at the time of accession. Work on both tracks should advance in parallel. Aspiring members need to step up their reform efforts, notably in the area of rule of law, in line with the merit-based nature of the accession process and with the assistance of the EU," read the conclusions. 

In parallel, according to the European leaders, the Union needs to lay the necessary internal groundwork and reforms, setting the Union’s long-term ambitions and the ways to achieve them, and addressing key questions related to its priorities and policies as well as its capacity to act, which will make the EU stronger and will enhance European sovereignty.  

"As the Union enlarges, successful European integration requires that Union policies be fit for the future and financed in a sustainable manner, based on the values on which the Union is founded, and that the EU institutions continue to function effectively. The European Council will address internal reforms at its upcoming meetings with a view to adopting by summer 2024 conclusions on a roadmap for future work," the document states, noting that the European Council endorses the Council conclusions on enlargement of 12 December 2023.  

The conclusions also note that European leaders decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and with the Republic of Moldova, inviting the Council to adopt the respective negotiating frameworks "once the relevant steps set out in the respective Commission recommendations of 8 November 2023 are taken".   

As regards to Georgia, the conclusions also note that the European Council decided to grant the status of candidate country. On Bosnia and Herzegovina, the document states that the European Council will open accession negotiations once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved, inviting the Commission to report to the Council on progress at the latest in March 2024, with a view to making a decision.

On Ukraine, the European Council reiterates its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and confirms the European Union’s unwavering commitment to continue to provide strong political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes.  

"The European Council stresses the urgent need to accelerate the delivery of missiles and ammunition, notably under the one million rounds of artillery ammunition initiative, and to provide Ukraine with more air defence systems... The European Union and its Member States remain committed to contributing, for the long-term and together with partners, to security commitments to Ukraine, which will help Ukraine to defend itself, resist destabilisation efforts and deter acts of aggression in the future," adds the document. 

The conclusions reaffirm the EU's commitment to ensuring the widest possible international support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, and reiterate the call for decisive progress, in coordination with partners, on how extraordinary revenues held by private entities stemming directly from Russia’s immobilised assets could be directed to support Ukraine and its recovery and reconstruction. 

"Russia and its leadership must be held fully accountable for waging a war of aggression against Ukraine and for other most serious crimes under international law, as well as for the massive damage caused by its war. The European Council encourages further efforts, including in the Core Group, to establish a tribunal for the prosecution of the crime of aggression against Ukraine that would enjoy the broadest cross-regional support and legitimacy, and a future compensation mechanism," the conclusions add. 

The European Council reiterates its urgent call on Russia and Belarus to immediately ensure the safe return to Ukraine of all unlawfully deported and transferred Ukrainian children and other civilians. The document notes that the EU is determined to further weaken Russia’s ability to wage its war of aggression, including by further strengthening its sanctions, adding that the European Council condemns the continued military support for Russia’s war of aggression provided by Iran, Belarus and the DPRK.  

"The European Council stresses the importance of security and stability in the Black Sea. It is vital that Ukraine’s grain exports are sustainable and reach world markets. The European Council supports all efforts to facilitate exports of Ukraine’s grain and other agricultural products to the countries most in need, notably in Africa and the Middle East," read the European Council conclusions on Ukraine.

Photo: MIA archive