France and Germany Propose Ambitious EU Reforms to Streamline Bloc and Prepare for Enlargement
-
France and Germany propose reforming the EU into 4 concentric circles, including an inner circle, the EU, associate members, and a European Political Community.
-
The proposal aims to streamline the EU's structure and prepare for EU enlargement to 30+ countries.
-
Proposed reforms include cutting commissioners/MEPs, moving to majority voting, and reapportioning Council voting weights.
-
The report links EU enlargement and EU reform, with accession talks for Ukraine and Balkans pushed.
-
Avoiding treaty changes is preferred, but major EU reforms tend to happen despite initial skepticism.