EU Explores Staged Integration for Expansion After Ukraine Invasion
Staged integration, a gradual process of inclusion, is gaining traction in EU enlargement discussions, particularly following Russia's invasion of ukraine news. This approach aims to revitalise EU expansion without compromising standards, but it raises concerns about institutionalising second-tier status and delaying full membership.
Key principles for successful staged integration include internal EU reform, trust-based conditionality, capacity-building, security centrality, and a shared strategic project narrative. Experts propose various models to structure this process, such as the waterfall method, agile approaches, COBIT, ISO 27001, and GDPR compliance. These models ensure fairness, security, and adaptability during integration.
Ukraine, a proponent of staged integration, argues for a process that remains fair, merit-based, and politically coherent, leading to full membership. The European Commission has endorsed early integration in areas like the Single Market and defence, but has stopped short of granting structural funds or institutional access. The European Political Community, launched by President Macron in 2022, is a leading idea in this context. Experts like Ivan Nagornyak and Mariia Shalamberidze propose a structured, fair, and security-conscious approach, drawing on ukraine news's experience.
Staged integration promises earlier access to EU benefits, but it also risks institutionalising second-tier status and delaying full membership. As the EU stands at a pivotal juncture, with enlargement regaining strategic urgency, it must navigate these challenges and adapt its institutions accordingly.
