The European Commission is considering a framework that would give candidate countries gradual access to the European Union’s single market, research, innovation and industrial programs before full membership. The proposal links deeper participation to regulatory alignment, enforcement capacity, democratic reforms and closer coordination with EU foreign and security policies, with access potentially limited or withdrawn if conditions are not met. It complements safeguards under consideration for future members, including temporary restrictions on voting rights and protections for existing economies. The Commission is also examining wider use of qualified-majority voting, including passerelle clauses that can move some decisions away from unanimity, although activating those clauses requires unanimous approval. Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine and Moldova are advancing their accession bids, and EU leaders are due to discuss enlargement and institutional reform in Brussels on Oct. 15-16.