Debate: Conclusions of the European Council meeting of - June
Date: WEDNESDAY, 6 JULY 2022
Speaker: Maroš Šefčovič
Language: EN

First and foremost, I would like to thank all the honourable Members for the strong support for the candidate status of Ukraine and Moldova. I would like to respond to Mr Mureşan and others who have been pleading with the European Commission to make sure they will provide them all the necessary technical assistance so they will be prepared for the eventual opening of the enlargement negotiations and to prepare them for the necessary reforms. It was part of the debate we had with the Czech Presidency, in particular I think, that new Member States can share a lot of experience from the transformation process, from the process how to be best prepared for these negotiations.  Ms Niebler and Mr Olekas just a few minutes ago have been calling for more assertive, clearer policy towards the Western Balkans. I think it was clearly one of the conclusions and the feeling of the leaders after the conclusion of the summit with the Western Balkans, that indeed we have to do much more, because what the Western Balkan leaders would like to see is more tangible efforts, a clearer path to accelerated accession talks and clearer results which they can present to the citizens.  So we are, of course, reflecting together with you, with our Member States, on how to bring this new energy and new impetus into the whole process. You know that the Commission is wholeheartedly behind these efforts.  We have seen positive developments in North Macedonia. We hope that this process will unblock the further steps for North Macedonia and Albania, and if it comes to Bosnia and Herzegovina, will be working together with the Member States and with all of you and with Bosnia Herzegovina to make sure that these 14 very important criteria are appropriately fulfilled so it could open the doors for further steps for Bosnia and Herzegovina as well.  Ms Bonafè, Ms Aubry and Ms Vautmans have been referring to the importance of making sure that we would respect the citizens’ demands, proposals, propositions, requests which they presented during the Conference on the Future of Europe. I would like to reassure all of you that in the first speech the President of the European Commission will make in September on the State of the Union, you will see the reflection of how the Commission wants to respond and how the Commission wants to guarantee the follow—up to the results of the Conference on the Future of Europe and how we want to incorporate it into the Commission work programme already for next year.  On the crucial question of the Convention, again I would like to underscore our readiness. Once the decision is taken, we will do our utmost to play our part to make sure that our European Union is better and stronger.  The last two points. One, on energy related issues. We of course are heading towards a very difficult period – I think we see it every day – and therefore we are working around the clock to make sure that on 20 July we will adopt the set of measures which would constitute a European emergency plan for any eventualities which could meet us in this very difficult energy landscape.  We want to make sure that solidarity, of course, will be the anchor of all the rules and processes we would propose, and of course we’ll be very happy to share and discuss this with the European Parliament.  The last point and the clear answer to Ms Grapini – because I am sure that this House knows very well, but I think it’s worth repeating – is that if it comes to Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, we are strong economies. They are prepared for Schengen membership and that should happen sooner rather than later, because it would make the European Union more secure and stronger.