EU Reform Proposals Unveiled by the German-French Coalition
The German-French group of experts, commissioned by State Minister Anna Luhrmann and her French counterpart Laurence Boone, has presented a comprehensive report titled "Sailing on High Seas - Reforming and Enlarging the EU for the 21st Century." The report, which was released in January, contains ambitious and pragmatic reform proposals aimed at strengthening the rule of law within the EU and preparing the bloc for enlargement.
The working group, consisting of twelve experts from various member states and candidate countries, includes names such as Pervenche Berès (Fondation Jean Jaures), Gilles Gressani (Group of Geopolitical Studies/GEG), Gaëlle Marti (Université de Lyon III), Franz Mayer (Universität Bielefeld), Thu Nguyen (Jacques Delors Centre), Nicolai von Ondarza (Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik), Sophia Russack (Centre for European Policy Studies/CEPS), Funda Tekin (Institut für Europäische Politik/IEP), Shahin Vallée, and Christine Verger (Institut Jacques Delors).
The report emphasizes the need to strengthen the rule of law in the EU, a concern that plays an important role in the Federal Government's reform debate. It also proposes tools to ensure the rule of law and the enlargement process, as well as reforms for the EU's foreign policy decision-making.
The report suggests improving the EU's effectiveness, particularly for the accession of new members, and offers impulses for making the EU fit for enlargement. The report is one of many milestones in the reform path of the EU, contributing to the concretization and advancement of considerations on expanding majority decisions in the EU.
Anna Luhrmann has stated that the EU must prepare for enlargement, and the report supports this view. In the next legislative period, the EU must implement internal reforms to prepare for enlargement. The European Council is planning discussions on reform and enlargement, with these discussions expected to occur in light of the annual progress reports of the European Commission on enlargement, which are anticipated in the fall.
Daniela Schwarzer (Bertelsmann Foundation) and Olivier Costa (CNRS CEVIPOF) served as reporters for the report. The report's recommendations are a significant step towards shaping the EU's future and ensuring its continued relevance in the 21st century.
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