The topic of European Union enlargement was discussed during the Reinvent Moldova 2.0, where former European Council president Charles Michel highlighted several challenges related to the process. Speaking about disagreements among some EU member state leaders, Michel pointed out that politicians sometimes use the veto right as a tool for blackmail.
The special guest at the event organized by the Grupul Media Realitatea also addressed financial contributions and budget management in the context of future enlargement. According to Michel, European leaders will need to agree on how to manage the bloc’s finances after candidate countries join.
“It will be hard, it will be difficult. But negotiations will have to take place while taking into account the perspective of enlargement. And I want to be once again very, very honest with all of you. The situation for some countries, which today are not net contributors to the European budget because they receive more than they contribute, may change after enlargement. (…)
The veto right is a challenge. And I can speak about this because I spent five years as president of the European Council trying to avoid being confronted with a veto. Because politicians sometimes, and unfortunately increasingly often, use the veto for blackmail. They use it for intimidation. They exchange a yes here for a no there,” Charles Michel said.
Reinvent Moldova 2.0 serves as a platform for dialogue about the European future of the Republic of Moldova and brings together political leaders, experts, and representatives of civil society.
