The enlargement of the European Union - a hot topic on the agenda of the European Council

The situation in Ukraine and the Middle East, the enlargement of the European Union, the modification of the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027, common defense and security and relations with third countries are the topics on the agenda of the heads of state or government who will participate in the next two days at European Council meeting.

Before this event, the EU-Western Balkans Summit is taking place today, attended by President Klaus Iohannis, a meeting where the support offered to the Western Balkan states by the European Union will be determined. The summit will be the occasion for leaders' discussions on addressing common challenges and strengthening the EU-Western Balkans partnership and cooperation in the current geopolitical context, including from the perspective of the impact of Russia's war against Ukraine at the level of regional partners.

According to a press release issued by the Presidential Administration, during the meeting Klaus Iohannis will reiterate Romania's firm support for the European perspective of the region, respecting the principles of own merits and meeting the accession criteria, and will show that the expansion is, above all, a opportunity for growth and development, which should bring more unity to the European continent, improved convergence, as well as strong sectoral policies that ensure benefits for all European citizens.

President Klaus Iohannis will address the subject of EU enlargement tomorrow as well, during the European Council meeting, where he will support the decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and will mention the substantial progress made by the two states in terms of reforms. This topic will be the hot topic of the meeting of the European Council, as Viktor Orban, the head of the government in Budapest, said that Hungary does not consider that Ukraine is ready to start the accession negotiations with the European Union. However, the Hungarian prime minister received, according to information from the media in Budapest, a letter from the Hungarian community in Ukraine, whose representatives ask him not to block the start of the accession negotiations of that state to the EU.

According to the Presidential Administration, within the European Council, President Klaus Iohannis will vote for the granting of candidate status for Georgia, as well as the opening of accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, when the necessary progress is made to meet the accession criteria.

Regarding the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2021-2027, President Iohannis will specify that there is a need for a funding balance between the commitments already assumed and the new priorities on the European agenda, which does not involve reductions in funds for the Cohesion Policy and Common Agricultural Policy.

The Presidential Administration specifies in the cited press release that our country will support within the European Council the granting of a comprehensive package of support for Ukraine and the need for increased involvement of the EU in the Middle East in order to protect civilians in Israel and the Gaza Strip, to de-escalate the conflict and resume the peace process based on the two-state solution.