Melike Pala
30 September 2026•Update: 30 September 2026
The European Union is preparing to offer candidate countries gradual access to its single market and research programs before full membership, according to a draft European Commission proposal obtained by news outlet Politico.
The proposal envisages the “gradual integration” of candidate countries into the EU’s single market, including closer trade links and participation in research, innovation and industrial programs, as they work toward full membership, Politico reported Wednesday.
“The single market is the first priority for economic convergence,” the draft review says, adding that earlier integration could strengthen European value chains and reduce strategic dependencies.
The document proposes deeper participation where candidate countries demonstrate regulatory alignment and sufficient enforcement capacity, particularly in areas that support preparations for EU accession and serve shared economic and strategic interests.
Under the proposed framework, countries would also be expected to align more closely with EU foreign and security policies.
Access could be limited or withdrawn if countries fail to meet the required conditions, including democratic reforms and alignment with the bloc’s strategic interests.
The European Commission is also considering wider use of qualified majority voting in areas currently subject to unanimity.
The draft says the risk of delays or blockages could increase as EU membership expands.
It also refers to so-called “passerelle clauses,” which can allow certain decisions to shift from unanimity to majority voting without formally amending the EU treaties.
Such mechanisms could potentially be used in areas including sanctions, responses to human rights crises and the deployment of civilian missions.
However, activating the clauses themselves requires unanimous approval from EU member states.
EU leaders are due to discuss enlargement and the bloc’s future institutional arrangements at a summit in Brussels on Oct. 15-16.
