EU Discusses Changes to Foreign Policy Voting System

JAKARTA - The European Commission says there is momentum for discussions on the transition from unanimous voting to a conditional majority vote in EU foreign policy decisions.

According to the spokesperson for the European Commission, Paula Pinho, the shift in voting could also be applied in relation to the expansion of the EU.

"We are now seeing momentum to discuss this (transition from unanimous voting to majority voting with conditions in decision-making for EU foreign affairs)," he said, quoted by ANTARA from Sputnik, Tuesday, April 14.

"There has been no such formal discussion, but indeed, we hear from other parties about this possibility. I can't tell you concretely where this will be discussed formally," he said again.

Pinho said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen did not mention expansion specifically, but referred to foreign policy.

"However, when we look at where these obstacles arise, it also applies to foreign policy related to expansion. To open and close the stages of accession negotiations, a unanimous vote is still required," he explained.

The spokesperson said that although those things had different legal bases, "the fact is that we also see obstacles there that hinder a merit-based approach."