VdL-No Short Cut, No Automatic Access To EU

Speaking at a presser following the informal EU heads of state/gov't meeting in Granada, Spain, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen states that EU "Accession process is a merit based one, no short cut, no automatic access to EU." Adds that "We need to do our homework to be ready to welcome new members." Council President Charles Michel stated that the leaders "...made steps forwards towards enlargement."

• While many EU and national leaders have been keen to talk up Ukrainian and Moldovan accession prospects, there remain concerns in some quarters regarding both countries meeting the Maastrich criteria, as well as the strength of democratic institutions.
• Indeed, on 5 October von der Leyen's predecessor Jean-Claude Juncker caused controversy, claiming in an interview with Augsburger Allgemeine that "Anyone who has had anything to do with Ukraine knows that this is a country that is corrupt at all levels of society."
• In a major signs of continued intra-EU tensions, Polish PM Mateusz Morawieckirejected a joint EU statement on migration. Without unanimous approval, a lesser 'chairman's statement' on migration comes from Michel, while a joint statement is released on enlargement.