Czechs push for swifter decisions on EU enlargement (43 days left to the Euroelections June 2009)

EU enlargement and election rules : a paradox?

Source: Euroactiv [edited]

As it continues to enlarge, the European Union needs to review its current vote weighting and abandon the veto system, Erhard Busek, special enlargement advisor to the Czech EU Presidency, told EurActiv in an interview.

Pressure is mounting to change decision-making systems in the European Union, said Busek, who until recently was special coordinator for the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe. He said fears that decision-making is becoming more and more difficult were behind the reluctance of a number of countries to proceed with further enlargement.

“Personally, I’m convinced that the current voting weight repartition, as well as the lack of qualified majority vote in most of the situations, is the real background of these hesitations. It has nothing to do with region, because it’s completely clear for all member states that all the Western Balkan countries should become members of the EU,” Busek said.

“My personal opinion is that […] there could be a bloc of entering countries. Because the real danger is – and we have to learn from the experience of Slovenia and Croatia – is that one country blocks the neighbouring country because of bilateral problems. It’s a real nonsense and I think it’s better to do it all together,” Busek said.

The Austrian politician did not hide that his own country was opposed to enlargement with respect to Turkey, but he said he believed that Vienna favours enlargement to the Western Balkans. As for Germany, he said the election campaign ahead of the national elections in September was blocking any decisions or discussions regarding EU enlargement.

Asked whether Albania would follow the example of Montenegro and file an official EU membership application against the advice of Brussels (EurActiv 10/03/09), he indicated that this could indeed be the case, with the government using the move as an “asset” for the 28 June parliamentary elections.