Merz's letter to the EU: grant Kiev associate member status
The Chancellor calls for an acceleration and innovative solutions for the other candidates as well, but the German proposal surprises and creates perplexity in Brussels also because it risks casting doubt on the Treaties themselves
from our correspondent Beda Romano
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BRUSSELS - In a move that has raised more than a few eyebrows in EU circles, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed to his partners to offer Ukraine the role of "associate member" to the European Union. In a letter sent to EU leaders, the politician also urged member states to speed up negotiations not only with Kiev, but also with other countries on the waiting list to join the EU project.
In his missive, the German politician says he is aware of the long political-institutional process that characterises a country's accession to the European Union. In order to speed up the negotiations, he proposes offering Kiev to become an associate member. Concretely, Ukraine would participate in EU fora - Council, Parliament and Commission - but without voting rights. It would only benefit from some of the EU budget programmes, but would enjoy the mutual assistance clause.
Berlin also proposes an 'automatic reinstatement mechanism' in the event of a departure from the principles of the European Union, in particular the rule of law, or setbacks in the accession negotiations. "What I have in mind," explains Friedrich Merz, "is a political solution that would substantially bring Ukraine closer to the European Union and its main institutions with immediate effect, without affecting the ongoing accession negotiations, but rather by facilitating and supporting this process.
Considering enlargement a 'geopolitical necessity', the Chancellor argues that in this way the Union would continue 'with the ordinary accession procedure to ensure that formal membership is achieved as quickly as possible'. There are no timetables or timelines in the German ruler's missive. No comments were received from Kiev, but the Ukrainian government has always called for full participation in the European Union.
In his letter, Friedrich Merz also suggests 'innovative solutions' for the other countries on the waiting list, particularly those in the Western Balkans, including privileged access to the internal market and a closer connection to the EU institutions. The German proposal is in line with Germany's historical attitude towards enlargement. The country has always been more open than others, particularly France, to enlarging the Union.
