EU pushes associate membership for Ukraine, Moldova and Western Balkans

German State Minister for Europe Gunther Krichbaum said the EU budget leaves only limited margins for enlargement and urged a new approach that would grant associate membership to Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkan states of Albania, Bosnia‑Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. He argued that such status, without voting rights, would allow these countries to attend European Parliament sessions at no cost, saying, “Why not offer these countries the chance to participate? It would not cost a euro, not a cent.” Krichbaum said the move would also send a clear signal to China, Russia and other powers that the prospective members are already part of the EU family. The proposal matches calls from Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron for a faster, step‑by‑step enlargement process, while critics warn it could create a “second‑class” waiting room for candidates.