The EU Debates a Light Membership Model for Ukraine
European institutions are analyzing formulas to accelerate Ukraine's link with the bloc. An idea gaining traction is that of a membership-lite, an accession format with fewer requirements. This approach seeks to grant Kyiv tangible benefits without requiring it to meet all formal criteria immediately. The initiative arises from the urgency to anchor the country in the Western orbit following the Russian aggression. However, the discussion is causing frictions within the Union itself. 🇪🇺
Division Among Union Countries
The proposal for a light membership divides European capitals. Several states support it as a practical measure. They argue that it would allow Ukraine to receive funds and access crucial markets more quickly. Other governments, however, show concern. They consider that this fast track could erode the foundations of the enlargement process and destabilize the internal balance. Nations that have been waiting years to join watch with skepticism as rules are relaxed for a new applicant.
Key Points of Disagreement:- Pragmatic support to grant economic and security benefits to Ukraine without delay.
- Concern about weakening community standards and creating an inconvenient precedent.
- Discomfort among traditional candidates, who fear seeing their process slowed down.
Defining which areas to integrate and which to exclude is complex. Discussions prioritize the single market or cohesion policy, but leave out aspects like the common agricultural policy.
Complexity of Applying a Hybrid Status
Designing a hybrid model involves major technical and political challenges. The difficulty lies in selecting which sectors to incorporate and which to postpone. Priority is being given to the single market or cohesion funds, while sensitive policies like the common agricultural policy would be excluded. This would mean creating a à la carte accession, a concept without precedent in the bloc's history. European Commission experts are working to outline how this intermediate status would operate without breaking internal cohesion.
Main Challenges for Implementation:- Determining the pillars of integration (market, funds) to offer immediately.
- Avoiding the "à la carte" model fragmenting the community acquis and legal unity.