Stockholm, June 22, 2023 – The Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gunda Reire, attended the informal meeting of the General Affairs Council of the European Union (EU) held in Stockholm on June 21 and 22, 2023. The meeting marked the initiation of ministerial-level discussions regarding potential adjustments within the EU and its capacity to accommodate new Member States.
During the conference, Gunda Reire emphasized the necessity of reaching an agreement on EU enlargement by extending an invitation to Ukraine to initiate negotiations. Furthermore, she stressed the importance of establishing a clear timeframe for the expansion of the EU. Reire highlighted the significance of maintaining high standards of democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights as the EU considers further enlargement, particularly in light of Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The European Commission (EC) presented an oral report to the Member States, updating them on the progress of reforms in Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia concerning their journey towards EU accession. Latvia expressed satisfaction with the oral report and anticipates a positive outcome in the forthcoming official EC report on the accession countries, scheduled for publication in autumn 2023.
Sweden, currently holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU from January 1 to June 30, 2023, hosted the informal meeting. As one of the 27 Member States, Sweden assumes the responsibility of presiding over the EU Council every six months.
At present, there are eight candidates for EU membership: Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Turkey. Ukraine and Moldova were granted EU candidate status at the European Council meeting held on June 23 and 24, 2022, while Georgia was offered the European perspective at the present European Council.
 held in Stockholm on June 21 and 22, 2023.){kind=link}