Enlargement factor of geitical stability for EU, he for candidates – iver Roepke

This inion was expressed by the President of the Eurean Social and Economic Committee, iver Roepke, who spoke in an interview for Ukrinform.

"It is of course a sign of he for the countries that are currently outside the Eurean Union to join this community, this Eurean project. But (it is also important – ed.) for the EU to get more geitical stability. We need stability also in our neighborhood. I think the best way is to invve these countries gradually and, in the end, to include them as full members in the Eurean Union as long as the conditions are met," the Eurean official emphasized.

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He noted that the Eurean Social and Economic Committee had previously defended the position regarding the need for further EU enlargement, even being aware of all the potential challenges of the process. That’s because, Roepke believes, enlargement does not only mean that the EU will include more countries, more citizens, more businesses, and workers – it will also mean the spread of democratic values, peace and stability across the continent.

"It is clear that the process in the end must be merit-based. I think we all agree on this, but once again, the willingness is there, and if Eure wants to become a true geitical player, the recent develments in Ukraine and also now in Gaza have shown that there is still a long way ahead of us. (…) The enlargement is a geitical need, an portunity and chance for us," added the president of the Eurean Social and Economic Committee.