Learning from Orban's Lessons, 5 EU States Seek to Expand Safeguard Clauses Alongside Enlargement

(Central News Agency, Brussels, 10th Special Dispatch) As the European Union's enlargement policy continues, five member states, including Belgium, have recently proposed that alongside expansion, a more robust safeguard mechanism should be established, allowing the EU to respond more swiftly when new member states take actions that violate fundamental rights and democratic principles.

According to reports from the Belgian News Agency and Euronews, this proposal was jointly put forward by five countries: Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, and Germany. It emphasizes that the EU enlargement policy is a geostrategic investment in peace, security, stability, and prosperity, but countries wishing to join the EU must also have a clear perspective.

According to this proposal, the EU can tailor clauses for each candidate country and incorporate them into future accession treaties. The aim is to ensure that the EU can continue to function effectively and that new member states respect the EU's core values.

The proposal also stresses that the "veto power" of new member states should be limited for a certain period after joining the EU, to prevent priority and major decisions from being unexpectedly obstructed. For example, EU foreign policy requires unanimous approval from member states.

The design of this proposal reflects the lessons learned by EU member states from the era of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The Orban government repeatedly used its veto power to block EU resolutions on aid to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.

To prevent new member states from acting against the EU's core values, the proposal also recommends simplifying the punishment norms in the "EU Treaty." If a member state takes actions that violate fundamental rights and democratic principles, its voting rights can be suspended with the approval of four-fifths of the member states.

The proposal also mentions the hope that the EU can include additional clauses to penalize violations of the rule of law, democratic principles, and press freedom, such as suspending cooperation at different levels. (Editor: Wei Shu) 1150611