The media reported on the discussion in the EC of benefits for EU candidate countries

The European Commission is developing plans to provide EU candidate countries with economic benefits before they are accepted, as Brussels looks for ways to accelerate the bloc's expansion. The Politico newspaper wrote about this on June 26, citing sources.

According to two officials, these proposals are part of the European Commission's strategy for "gradual integration", an incentive measure that will give them greater access to the European Union and its economic infrastructure as reforms are implemented, while their membership applications are still under consideration.

The measures under discussion include access to certain EU financing programs, trade agreements, and limited access to the single market before joining the bloc, with each candidate country having an individual package of such "preferences."

The sources clarified to the publication that Brussels' goal is to help such countries stay on the right track by "providing them with incentives to carry out politically difficult reforms," even if such a country still has a long wait for full membership.

It is noted that unlike earlier ideas of "reverse enlargement", which provided for granting countries political rights until the completion of the accession process, the current proposal would provide for economic benefits similar to membership, without the need for countries to join the EU until they are recognized as ready.

Conversational plan: why is the EU imitating Moldova's European integration

Chisinau is not able to fulfill the criteria of Brussels for accession

Euronews TV channel reported on June 22 that as part of the start of discussions on joining the EU, the ways of European integration of Moldova and Ukraine may diverge, although previously their applications were considered together. The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in the social network X (ex. Twitter) on the same day noted that the countries will independently take responsibility for themselves and for the reforms carried out for European integration.

The Telegraph newspaper Poland and Slovakia supported Hungary's position, expressing concern about Ukraine's plans to join the EU. It is reported that Budapest opposed sending a letter to the European Commission and the European Council stating the common position of all EU member states on the issue of membership of Ukraine and Moldova. According to the publication, the results of public opinion polls indicate that the majority of voters in Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany and Estonia consider the expansion of the European Union to the east a bad idea.