00:02The EU is discussing stronger safeguards for new member states, including the possibility
00:07of suspending voting rights, with Montenegro first in line.
00:11Last month, the European Commission proposed a 15-year probation period for newcomers designed
00:17to allow swift action against those that violate EU values.
00:21Five of the EU's founding members requested to draw lessons from the experience of former
00:25Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who four years blackmailed the bloc by wielding
00:30his veto power over major decisions.
00:33Candidate countries face a take-it-or-leave-it deal, but for Montenegro, the most advanced
00:38candidate walking away is hardly an option.
00:41Yet changing the terms of membership at the last mile leaves a bitter aftertaste for Montenegrin
00:47officials.
00:48Some EU capitals are sympathetic to the candidates' arguments.
00:51Italy is pushing for respecting the equality of member states and for safeguards that
00:56are tailor-made for each candidate.
00:58The Netherlands, by contrast, has championed no differentiation between EU candidates.
