Albin Kurti
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EU drafts plan to give candidate countries gradual access to single market before full membership
The European Commission has drafted a proposal offering EU candidate countries "gradual integration" into the bloc's single market — including seamless trade and access to research programs — while their membership applications are still being processed. The draft, reported by Politico and relayed by European Pravda, conditions access on candidate countries aligning with EU foreign policy goals and refraining from transferring sensitive technologies to hostile states or industrial competitors. Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, and Montenegro would receive "roadmaps" to accelerate accession under the plan.