European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said future EU accession treaties should include stronger safeguards that would “bite hard” if new members backslide on rule of law commitments, with Montenegro likely to be the first tested under such rules. Speaking at an enlargement conference in Tallinn, Kos stressed there can be no shortcuts on reforms, highlighting the need to fight corruption and strengthen democratic institutions as the foundation of EU membership. She said lessons from past enlargements show the bloc must ensure new members continue respecting EU rules long after joining. Kos added that safeguards should remain as long as necessary without creating second-tier membership, noting that countries respecting EU standards would not feel their impact. Read more here.
Source and photo credit: EWB
