On enlargement, welcoming the opening of the first accession negotiation cluster with Ukraine and Moldova, Metsola said the decision sent a powerful signal that: “Enlargement is no longer a distant promise. It is here, it is happening.” Describing enlargement as a “win-win” and referring to Parliament’s most recent progress reports, she said: “We need to deliver. We do not have the luxury of time.” While underlining that gradual integration measures and closer access to the Single Market can help bring candidate countries closer to the Union, she also stressed that this “can never become a substitute for full EU membership”.

On the future long-term EU budget, Metsola assured leaders that “Parliament will be constructive” in the negotiations “but will also defend its position”. She called for Parliament’s early involvement in the process and to advance discussions on new own resources. “We all agree that we need an ambitious budget. We all agree that…