Brussels: Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovenia have put forward a 'step-by-step' model to integrate Western Balkan countries into the EU's single market, as reported by Euractiv on Wednesday. The proposal aims to maintain the momentum of EU enlargement and foster European integration by offering strong and attractive incentives to candidate countries.

According to Anadolu Agency, the confidential document, circulated among EU member states, advocates for 'merit-based access, if necessary, step by step to the European single market' as an incentive for Western Balkan countries. The proposed model, termed 'systematic sectoral integration,' allows these states to gradually participate in EU programs as they comply with EU regulations.

The proposal details expanding access to sectors such as transport, energy, digital markets, competitiveness strategies, and critical raw materials. Additionally, the document includes safeguards to address potential setbacks if candidate countries reverse reforms after gaining partial access to the single market.

The proposal also urges EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos to develop new initiatives based on this framework, suggesting that it would not only bolster the single market but also mitigate the influence of third countries like Russia and China.