The first draft of the upcoming coalition agreement in Germany reveals a strong emphasis on EU policy, particularly in relation to the Western Balkans. According to the draft, which was verified by Euractiv, Germany’s next coalition government is committed to reinforcing the EU’s security capabilities. However, there is still no agreement on how to overcome the EU’s indecisiveness in this area.
The draft reflects ongoing negotiations between the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats. While some subgroups have already developed detailed parts of the agreement, the final hurdles are expected to be resolved by the party leaders in the coming weeks.
The draft emphasizes the transformative power of enlargement policy, calling it a geopolitical necessity. The global situation, it states, requires further development of the EU membership process, with an approach based on performance and differentiation. Countries’ progress toward European values and standards should be rewarded more significantly.
The draft highlights that countries must tangibly experience the value of their journey toward EU membership. At the same time, the EU needs to strengthen its ability to expand by ensuring that parallel institutional reforms lead to concrete results.
The coalition is in favor of a gradual integration approach for candidate countries that have not yet fulfilled all membership requirements but are implementing reforms decisively. This should not compromise the criteria or the integrity of the internal market. One proposal includes “inclusion” in EU programs and policies, granting a non-voting observer status in the European Parliament and Council, as well as associated membership in areas like CFSP/CSDP.
The draft underlines that the significant accession of the six Western Balkans countries, Ukraine, and Moldova to the EU is in their mutual interest. Continuous support efforts from the EU and its member states are encouraged, including the Berlin Process. It also emphasizes that Western Balkans countries, which have waited for progress, must be offered credible prospects.
The draft also touches upon EU-Turkey relations, noting their strategic importance, but expressing regret over Turkey’s increasing departure from EU values.
