EU

Enlargement package 2023 – Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia

CIVEX-VII/028
Antje GROTHEER
 Adoption: 17/04/2024
to analyse and assess the European Commission's Enlargement Package 2023 for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia from the CoR and local and regional perspective, and to ask for rightful place of LRAs in the EU enlargement process, specifically in the EU accession process of these three countries
to once again express and detail the CoR unwavering support to the people and LRAs of the war-torn Ukraine, but also of Moldova and Georgia, which are under heavy Russian pressure, too
to demand more EC support for capacity building of LRAs in the "Eastern Trio"
to reiterate CoR support for the establishment of joint consultative committees (JCCs) with, respecitvely, Ukraine and Moldova
to express support to the democratic forces in Georgia, and concern about the adoption of the "Law on Foreign Agents"
The European Commission’s follow-up report on the two CoR opinions on the 2023 Enlargement Package was published on 8 October 2024. EC concurs with almost all points in the opinion on Enlargement package 2023 – Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. Most notably:

It concurs with the Committee’s opinion that enlargement is, and remains, a geostrategic investment in the long-term peace, security, stability and prosperity of the whole of our continent.

In accordance with the CoR recommendations, after entry into force on 1 March 2024, the Ukraine Facility is now moving into the implementation phase. It will provide predictable and flexible support to Ukraine of up to EUR 50 billion in grants and loans for the period 2024-2027.

The Commission concurs with the Committee’s opinion that an inclusive enlargement process should build on the involvement of local and regional authorities in the candidate countries and in the European Union.

EC, as well as the CoR, encourages Ukraine, together with its partners from the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, to pursue decentralisation reforms and capacity building for local and regional authorities.

EC agrees with points in the CoR opinion as regards the reconstruction of Ukraine.

EC agrees with the CoR recommendations to Moldova as regards the fight against corruption and “de-oligarchisation”.

EC shares the CoR concern about deep political polarization, the lack of effective cross-party cooperation and widespread disinformation regarding the EU in Georgia as the main stumbling blocks on the country’s path towards the EU.

THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
- welcomes the European Council's decision of 14 December 2023 to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, and to grant candidate country status to Georgia (…);
- stresses that the enlargement process involving these three countries, which are each in their own way exposed to Russian aggression, is an expression of their right to self-determination and is in the EU's geopolitical interest and part of rebuilding a wider European peace order;
- concurs with the European Council conclusions of 15 December 2023 stating that 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. In parallel, the Union needs to lay the necessary internal groundwork and reforms, notably in order to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of EU institutions and policies;
- stresses that an inclusive enlargement process should build on the involvement of local and regional authorities in the candidate countries and in the EU, given their fundamental role in implementing EU policies and legislation and in maximising the impact of EU funding programmes;
- concurs with the Commission's approach of gradual integration and also considers that the 2004 and 2007 enlargements are a successful model to follow, including for on the gradual phasing-in and capping mechanisms in the Common Agricultural Policy and in cohesion policy;
- highlights the vital importance of supporting and promoting local democracy and autonomy in the "Eastern trio" countries, based on the European Charter of Local Self-Government;
- reiterates its support to the establishment of a Joint Consultative Committees with Ukraine and Moldova (…);
- considers that Georgia must prioritise inclusive policymaking and bolster participatory democracy measures at the local level. (…) Moreover, the CoR shares most serious concerns about the possible resubmission of a draft law on the "Transparency of Foreign Influence" (…).