A simple google will confirm Barnier's comments. First you say they are invalid because of the speaker, now you criticise the source when the speaker is highlighted as being extremely credible. A very poor attempt imo.

From your own link:

According to the EU treaties, membership of the European Union is open to "any European State which respects the values referred to in Article 2 and is committed to promoting them" (TEU Article 49). Those Article 2 values are "respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities." This is based on the 1993

The reason some Eastern block countries take so long is because they have to change their own infrastructure. The UK does not have to do this. You are not comparing apples to apples.

Membership requires that candidate country has achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights, respect for and protection of minorities, the existence of a functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union. Membership presupposes the candidate's ability to take on the obligations of membership including adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary union.

The UK currently fails under this criteria. Starmer has made pledges to reverse all this crap within 100 days.

Before a country applies for membership it typically signs an association agreement to help prepare the country for candidacy and eventual membership. Most countries do not meet the criteria to even begin negotiations before they apply, so they need many years to prepare for the process. An association agreement helps prepare for this first step.

Does not apply to the UK once these scumbags are gone. Provided Starmer makes good on his commitments. We also have to renegotiate the TCA in 2025. One thing is certain is that the UK will align closer to the EU. This will facilitate any future requests to rejoin not hinder them. The days of divergence will die with the Tories.