EU drafts plan to offer single market access to candidate states in exchange for security alignment

The plan, overseen by top adviser Alexandre Adam, aims to overhaul the EU's approach to candidate countries. Under the proposal, Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, and Montenegro will be offered roadmaps to accelerate accession, while states such as North Macedonia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Turkey face concerns over prolonged delays and potential shifts toward Russia or China.

"The single market is the first priority for economic convergence," the draft states, highlighting that earlier integration would strengthen European value chains and reduce strategic dependencies. However, access to sensitive sectors, including semiconductors, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies, will hinge on candidates enforcing investment screening, export controls, and sanctions.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is promoting these economic benefits during a tour of the Western Balkans. Kosovo's Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, welcomed the initiative, telling POLITICO that gradual integration must serve as a pathway to full membership rather than a substitute.

The draft emphasizes that full membership remains the ultimate goal, but warns that benefits remain reversible if candidate states fail to maintain reforms. Additionally, the proposal suggests post-accession monitoring to prevent democratic backsliding and recommends expanding qualified-majority voting using existing treaty provisions to prevent individual member states from blocking key decisions as the bloc expands. EU leaders are scheduled to discuss the proposals at a Brussels summit on 15 October.