Institutional implications of the EU enlargement negotiations

MEPs say EU enlargement is "historically a key instrument for spreading democracy, stability and prosperity", but the Union needs to prepare for it - in particular by adapting its institutions and decision-making processes.

MEPs call for enlargement to go hand in hand with reforms. They propose greater use of qualified majority voting to avoid paralysis in decision-making and adjusting the composition of the European Commission to reflect geographical, demographic and gender balance.

The resolution also calls for a stronger role for the European Parliament, which should be given full rights of legislative initiative and greater influence on budgetary issues. The text also argues that the Union should increase its long-term budget beyond the current limit of 1% of GDP to ensure that it has sufficient resources to operate and to accommodate new members.

Parliament believes that modernised institutions are key to ensuring that an enlarged EU can better respond to global challenges, protect its values and remain competitive in a world of thirty-five member states.