Montenegro could get a commissioner in Brussels before joining the EU

Senior European Union officials are considering increasing the involvement of new members during the final phase of their journey toward the Union, according to draft documents seen by the Brussels outlet Rapporteur, as the Montenegrin daily Dan writes. The news was also reported by RTCG.

The idea is deeper involvement for candidate countries after they sign the accession treaty, but before all 27 member states complete their national ratification procedures — a process that can take years. “Now, as political winds are changing across Europe, it is entirely reasonable to expect that period to be longer… The whole idea is to extend that period, because in previous enlargement rounds it was quite short,” said Steven Blockmans, deputy director of the International Centre for Defence and Security in Tallinn.

According to an internal Commission document cited by Rapporteur: “The Commission considers it reasonable to examine the possibility that the state joining the Union also appoint a commissioner during this period… Such a commissioner could take part in the work of the College on relevant issues, while fully preserving the autonomy, collegiality and collective responsibility of the College.” The new commissioner would help shape EU legislation — a right reserved until now only for officials of member states.

If realised, it would be the first time in the Union’s history that a commissioner took office at the Berlaymont building in Brussels before his country formally became an EU member. As in previous enlargement rounds, after a candidate signs the accession treaty, it can send observers to the European Parliament. The Commission is also considering a degree of institutional participation at an even earlier stage, after accession negotiations have formally concluded — countries could send observers, potentially even their highest state officials, to the European Council.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen began her Western Balkans visit on Wednesday, starting in Tirana, at a time when the Commission is preparing a broader offer to bring candidate countries closer to the Union before full membership. The Commission will offer candidates gradually deeper integration into the single market as they implement domestic reforms: SEPA payments, the “Horizon” research programme, the emissions trading system, public digital services, cybersecurity initiatives and IPCEI projects. “Security and defence should be among the first priorities of deeper gradual integration,” the European Commission document states.