EU Spring Summit: Key Decisions on Enlargement, Defense, and Ethical Concerns
Amidst the blare of sirens and the rhythmic chants of protesting farmers in Brussels, the 27 EU leaders have convened for a two-day period (March 21-22) at what is termed the "spring summit", with an agenda packed with pressing issues, as reported by journalist Dan Alexe.
Nevertheless, the conclusions of the summit, which are already public knowledge — the text has been circulating in the press since Wednesday — do not explicitly address the enlargement of the European Union to include Ukraine and Moldova.
However, on the eve of the summit, the EU nonetheless took a measure on Wednesday, March 20, that appears entirely inappropriate at this time: capping Ukrainian agricultural imports (excluding wheat and barley), which have benefited from a free trade agreement since 2022.
To ensure a unified European defence, substantial sums are required, and leaders are currently contemplating the notion of initiating a new round of EU common bonds.
Indeed, this raises certain... ethical concerns.
The timing of this display of European self-interest is particularly unfortunate as it threatens to overshadow the remarkable mobilisation of Europeans in supporting Ukraine militarily.
Governments across Europe are under political siege from protesting farmers, who argue not only that they cannot compete with cheap imports (including those from Ukraine) but also lament the cost of EU environmental bureaucracy.
EU leaders will also endeavour to attain a unified stance on the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
However, an ambitious roadmap will be required to make decisions on EU reforms in June.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
