European Commissioner Marta Coss has stressed the need to change the enlargement process due to changes in the world. The European Commission is expected to publish its proposals for changes in the process in mid-October.

The new model for enlargement of the European Union (EU), whose final publication is expected in mid-October, brings tectonic changes for candidate countries. For Macedonia, “gradual integration” and the reduction of veto rights for countries such as Bulgaria and Greece could be the ticket to accelerated entry into the European system, after decades of delays.

The proposal is expected to be based on four key pillars, that include gradual integration and stricter control of the candidates. The “all or nothing” principle is difficult to apply. Candidate countries should feel tangible benefits even before full membership (such as joining the SEPA payment system or connecting to the European energy grid). Stronger mechanisms are being introduced to protect democracy and the rule of law to prevent new members from going backwards and “Trojan horses” from entering.
Other principles of the new approach include faster decision-making by the EU and protection of EU interests.

There are no new criteria when it comes to the accession of candidate countries to the EU, for now.​ The statement of European Commissioner Marta Kos is given in a different connotation and does not refer to Macedonia as a country. ​We have a fully harmonized security and foreign policy with the European Union. We are working on the reform agenda and will do everything to be the best in that regard, as before, said Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.