EU to offer single-market access to candidate countries
Economic benefits would be conditional and can be taken away if non-members backslide on democracy or share sensitive tech with unfriendly governments, the plan says.
The European Union is set to offer single-market access to countries currently waiting to join its ranks, according to a draft proposal obtained by POLITICO. The proposal, overseen by the EU Commission and led by top advisor Alexandre Adam, would grant candidate countries like Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, and Montenegro "gradual integration" into the single market, including frictionless trade and access to research programs.
Economic benefits would depend on the country's support for the EU's foreign policy objectives, with access to sensitive sectors contingent on cooperation on investment screening, export controls, and the protection of sensitive technologies.
Brief written by urgent.news from Politico EU's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
