EU preparing safeguards to limit veto powers of future members, Commissioner Kos

EU Commissioner Marta Kos has indicated that future European Union enlargement agreements are likely to include new safeguards designed to limit the ability of incoming member states to block key decisions and to ensure continued adherence to EU rules.

Speaking ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday, Kos was asked whether the bloc was considering restrictions on veto powers for new members, including Ukraine. In response, she said the EU was working on a new generation of accession agreements that would contain additional protective mechanisms.

"We are now in the process of preparing the accession agreement for Montenegro," Kos said. "What we know today is that there will be a new generation of accession agreements, with new safeguards to ensure compliance with the principles you mentioned."

The commissioner said the EU must ensure that new member states continue to respect European rules not only at the point of accession but also five, 10 or 15 years after joining the bloc.