The European Commission has told European leaders that they should allow formal talks on Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the bloc to begin, as part of the EU's expansion plans
Addressing the EU parliament yesterday, Von der Leyen said EU enlargement is in the 'common interest'
The European Commission has told European leaders that they should allow formal talks on Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the bloc to begin, as part of the EU's expansion plans.
Von der Leyen said the talks should begin as soon as both countries have finalised their necessary reforms.
The EU executive said: "In light of the results achieved by Ukraine and Moldova, and of the ongoing reform efforts, the Commission has recommended that the Council opens accession negotiations with both countries."
This came as the Commission unveiled its long-awaited assessment of the membership bids of its candidate countries.
The recommendation said EU leaders could support the start of accession talks for the two countries as soon as the next European Council summit, taking place in mid-December.
But such a move requires unanimous support from all EU members.
This marks a break from typical protocol, as it is the first time the commission has given the green light to formal accession talks before a country has fully met all pre-condition
Addressing the EU parliament yesterday, Von der Leyen said EU enlargement is in the "common interest".
She said: "Today it is clear that the stability of every country in our continent affects, of course, also our own stability. Their security is our security. And if our union isn’t fast enough in bringing candidate countries closer, others will fill the vacuum.
"But it is in our geopolitical interest to complete our union, to make it stronger than ever.
"And it’s not only about geopolitics. It’s of course also about economics. The completion of our union will make the new member states’ economies grow, it will make EU companies grow, it will also make our single market grow, making Europe an even more attractive and stronger partner in the global stage.
"Prosperity is not only shared by enlargement, it is multiplied. Enlargement is in our common interest. So we must seize this moment of opportunity to advance as much as possible towards the completion of our union."
As well as Moldova and Ukraine, six other countries are on the candidate list: Turkey, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Earlier this year, Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, told Politico that the Ukraine and the Western Balkans need to gain EU member status "quickly".
Speaking at a meeting of foreign ministers in Spain, he said: "The Spanish presidency is proposing … to hold a ministerial meeting together with the Western Balkans ministers.
"We will do it at the end of next month."
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He added: "The issue of enlargement has been floating over our discussions.
"Ukraine has to become a member of the European Union. The Western Balkans also. Quickly."
