Enlargement and stabilisation and association process

The Council today approved conclusions on enlargement and stabilisation and association process. The conclusions assess the situation in each of the EU candidates and partners, set out guidelines on reform priorities, and reaffirm the Council’s commitment to the EU’s enlargement policy. In line with the revised enlargement methodology endorsed by the Council in 2020, a strong focus is put on fundamental reforms in the areas of the rule of law, fundamental rights, economic development and competitiveness, strengthening of democratic institutions and public administration reform.

Following the June European Council conclusions, and in light of the Commission's subsequent recommendation of 12 October 2022, the Council recommends to grant candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina, subject to confirmation by the European Council, on the understanding that the steps specified in the Commission’s recommendation are taken, in order to strengthen the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organised crime, migration management and fundamental rights. The Council looks forward to a confirmation of this decision by the December European Council.

"The EU enlargement policy is a strong anchor for peace, democracy, prosperity, security and stability on our continent. With its conclusions, the Council is sending a strong message of its commitment to EU enlargement. I am particularly pleased about the recommendation to grant Bosnia and Herzegovina candidate status and the acknowledgement of reform efforts of Ukraine in such difficult times. The EU will continue to support Ukraine on its path towards future EU membership and we agreed to come back to the situation of the Associated Trio based on an update provided by the Commission next spring," said Mikuláš Bek, Czech Minister for European Affairs.

Transparency and targeting of political advertising

The Council today also agreed its mandate (general approach) for negotiations with the European Parliament on the proposal for a regulation on the transparency and targeting of political advertising.

In a context where political campaigning is increasingly taking place online and across national borders, the proposal aims to promote high standards of transparency in political advertising in the EU, limit the use of targeted advertising for political purposes and facilitate the cross-border provision and oversight of political advertising services. It will help to combat disinformation, information manipulation and interference in elections, and safeguard an open democratic debate in the EU member states.

The proposed rules lay down obligations for various actors in the advertising value chain, both online and offline, including a requirement to clearly label political advertisements and provide citizens with additional information about the sponsors, financing and any links to specific elections or referenda. The use of political targeting and amplification techniques is subject to tight conditions and would be banned entirely in some cases.

The Council's mandate builds on the Commission proposal, strengthening the proposed rules in some cases, clarifying how they would be implemented and seeking to enhance legal certainty.

"In a thriving democracy, citizens should receive objective, transparent and pluralistic information, free from manipulation. They should be able to easily recognise political ads, especially online, and know who is behind them. We also need to limit and strictly monitor the use of targeting techniques. The new regulation will ensure up-to-date rules across the EU to protect our democratic processes," added Mikuláš Bek.