Scholz wants to reform the EU and admit Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia into it
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz outlined his vision for a new European Union, calling for much greater unity among European states against Russia.
The dpa agency reports.
“Our Europe is united in peace and freedom, open to all European peoples who share our values,” Scholz said, calling for a more strategic approach to EU enlargement that takes geopolitical realities into account.
“Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, and then Georgia, and, of course, the countries of the Western Balkans, they belong to us, they are part of a free and democratic Europe. Their membership in the EU is in our interests,” the Chancellor assures.
The head of the German government also called for institutional reforms to ensure that the EU becomes a key player in international politics, capable of making pragmatic decisions and quick actions.
“A European Union with 30 or 36 members will be different from today's union,” he said.
Instead of the current principle of unanimous support, Scholz proposed simple majority voting on various policy issues. He said reforming decision-making procedures would prevent one country from blocking a veto, as is the case now when, for example, Hungary expresses its disagreement with certain aspects of the EU's Ukrainian line.
“I therefore proposed a gradual transition to majority voting in various areas such as common foreign policy and tax policy, knowing that this would also have consequences for Germany,” Scholz said.
Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia to be admitted to the European Union.
English version :: Read in English Scholz wants to reform the EU and admit Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia.