European Council: Countries seeking EU membership must continue reforms

The European Council held a strategic discussion on next steps regarding enlargement and internal reforms, taking into account the Granada Declaration. This information is contained in the conclusions published after the first day of the European Council summit.

The document emphasizes the lasting importance of enlargement as a geostrategic investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity.

According to the conclusions: "Given the prospect of an enlarged Union, both future member states and the European Union must be ready for accession. Countries seeking membership should continue implementing reforms, particularly in the area of the rule of law, in line with the merit-based nature of the accession process and with the assistance of the European Union. At the same time, the Union should continue its internal work and reforms, set its long-term ambitions and the ways to achieve them, and address key issues related to its priorities and policies, as well as its capacity to act. This will strengthen the European Union and reinforce European sovereignty."

The European Council stresses that the accession process is based on merit and that each candidate country moves forward in negotiations according to its own individual progress.

According to the document, the European Council welcomes the ongoing work on preparing an accession treaty with Montenegro.