The leader of the Christian Democratic Union and favorite to be the next German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, stated that the European Union (EU) enlargement process will take time and that until then, a way should be found for candidate countries to be more involved in EU structures and decision-making mechanisms even without full membership.
"I believe that we need to overcome the strict distinction between being completely outside or completely inside the EU and create something that paves the way for full membership," Merz said at a gathering in Berlin organized by the Kerber Foundation.
In his speech on Germany's foreign and European policy, Merz did not mention EU enlargement, but when asked what his position was on it, he said that he did not have a "definitive" answer, but that institutional ties must be established between the candidates for membership and the EU in some way.
"I cannot give you a definitive answer to this question. I am just looking for ways to create opportunities for deeper integration of European and neighboring countries into EU structures and decision-making mechanisms," Merz said, noting that he had discussed the matter with French President Emmanuel Macron.
He emphasized that such a model must not leave the impression of second-class membership.
"Such an impression must not be created. These countries are not second-class members. They can be participants in some process or choose to remain at a certain level for a longer period. But we must establish institutional ties with the EU in some form," said Merc.
Referring to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and its members' agreement with the EU that created the European Economic Area (EEA), Merz said that, for example, the Union could allow candidates to participate in parts of the European single market.
Merz cited Switzerland as an example of a country that is part of the Schengen zone and wants to sign agreements that will deepen and expand cooperation with the EU.
"This approach should be applied to other countries, not just the Western Balkans," Merz said, adding that he had the impression that the British were very interested in gradually re-establishing cooperation with the EU.
Merz also said that Turkey should be a strategically important country.
"As for Turkey, I believe that its EU membership will not be on the table for a long time. But this sharp distinction between being completely outside or completely inside blocks all possibilities for stronger cooperation with this country. I do not yet have a definitive answer to these questions, but I am somewhat influenced by the EEA and EFTA structures that we used to have," Merz said in a speech at the "Global Leaders' Dialogue" event, which was published on the Kerber Foundation website.
Merz added that he was also influenced by the idea of concentric circles around the EU (multi-speed Europe), which German politicians Wolfgang Schäuble and Karl Lamers once wrote about.
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