EU enlargement will succeed only if it is rooted in local and regional levels 

Last week, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopted in Plenary the “Enlargement package 2025 – Ukraine, Moldova & Georgia”. The final text includes six amendments tabled by CoR members Māris Zusts and Gints Kaminskis and suggested by LALRG, in close cooperation with PLATFORMA.

The amendments aim to reinforce a central political message: EU enlargement will succeed only if it is rooted in local and regional levels, resilient to hybrid threats, and democratically endorsed by citizens. 

In the opinion drafted by Patrick Molinoz (France/PES), vice-president of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, decentralisation, multilevel governance, gender equality, and combating foreign information manipulation (FIMI) are framed as essential components of sustainable enlargement. 

Cooperation with local governments 

The adopted amendments further stress the need for public support through cooperation with local governments, especially in Ukraine’s post-war context, advocating for awareness campaigns and media engagement to foster acceptance of candidate countries. 

Democratic resilience and integrity are further prioritised, particularly through strengthened anti-corruption measures at all government levels. Transparency in public procurement is highlighted, especially regarding reconstruction efforts. 

Concerning Moldova, the amendments commend reform progress but express concerns over foreign interference (FIMI) during the 2025 elections, advocating for resilience measures and support for independent media. 

The amendments also support local governments in Georgia amidst democratic backsliding, emphasising ongoing cooperation to maintain dialogue and democratic governance as the country navigates its EU accession path. 

Thanks to amendments submitted by CEMR, the opinion also explicitly recognises the role of the European Partnership Hub (EPH) as a one-stop shop that facilitates and coordinates cooperation between local authorities in Ukraine and the EU. This includs matchmaking, knowledge-sharing, and peer-to-peer cooperation. This Hub was launched at the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference, following the Joint Statement of the European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. Hosted by CEMR, which already drives EU–Ukraine municipal partnerships through Bridges of Trust, the Matchmaking Platform, and SUN4Ukraine, the Hub coordinates and connects initiatives within the Bridges of Trust Community.