EU Unlikely to Welcome New Member States in Foreseeable Future – Johannes Hahn

Johannes Hahn, the new EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, photo by EPA/BGNES

Quality and not speed will be decisive for EU enlargement, according to Johannes Hahn, the new EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.

Hahn, as cited by the Austria Press Agency and Tanjug, explained that no new members were expected to join the EU in the foreseeable future.

He underscored that EU accession required solid preparation, stressing that quality took precedence over speed in the process.

Hahn pointed out that a new EU Member State was supposed to enjoy warm reception by European citizens instead of being perceived as a burden.

Asked to comment on the crisis in Ukraine, he declared that he intended to keep communication channels open, stressing that the ultimate goal was putting an end to the conflict and creating conditions for peaceful coexistence.

The new EU Enlargement Commissioner refused to comment on a potential Scottish secession and an ensuing EU membership application on the part of the country, warning of the negative impact of excessive speculation in politics.

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