Xavier Bettel Highlights Progress of Candidate Countries at EU General Affairs Council

Luxembourg Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, travelled to Copenhagen to participate in the informal meeting of the General Affairs Council from Monday 1 to Tuesday 2 September 2025.

The meeting took place under the theme "From Copenhagen to Copenhagen to Copenhagen" – a reference to the Danish presidencies of 1993 and 2002 when key decisions on enlargement were taken – the meeting brought together European Union (EU) Member States and candidate countries to exchange views on EU enlargement and gradual integration.

In his speech, Minister Bettel highlighted the enthusiasm for EU membership and accession in most candidate countries, as shown by the latest Eurobarometer survey.

Regarding gradual integration, he emphasised the importance of the progress achieved by aspiring members, which helps secure the necessary support to pursue further reforms.

On the subject of the Copenhagen criteria, he emphasised that enlargement is a merit-based process and that these criteria, fundamental to the EU, must be met before candidate countries can join the Union.

During the second session, Minister Bettel reiterated that the rule of law is one of the EU’s core values, stressing that it applies equally to candidate countries and member states. He noted that the EU must ensure respect for the rule of law, using all means at its disposal, including through conditionality.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Bettel held a bilateral discussion with Taras Kachka, Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade Representative of Ukraine, who is responsible for European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

EO