EU foreign policy chief wants to change unanimity rule in decision-making process

ANKARA (AA) – As the EU considers enlargement, its foreign policy chief has suggested that the bloc reduce the scope of unanimity rule in foreign policy and reform its decision-making process through a “qualified majority vote.”

Josep Borrell in a blog post on Monday said EU enlargement is back high on the agenda after the European Council decided that the future of Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia lies in the bloc.

The Western Balkan countries are already on that path, and the EU has also reiterated its commitment to them, he added.

He said it took a month to get the 6th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting oil, insurance, and adding more listings. He added that similar dynamics were observed at the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania when Bulgaria blocked what everyone else could agree on.

If countries know in advance that the final decision can be taken by a qualified majority vote, they have a strong incentive to negotiate, create alliances, and shape the consensus, he said.

He emphasized on the idea of establishing a larger European Political Community, stating that this wider club could unite all European countries that share democratic principles and want to pursue concrete and flexible forms of cooperation.