The European Commission today adopted its annual enlargement package, which provides a detailed assessment of the state of play and progress made by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Serbia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Turkey on their EU accession path. The assessments are accompanied by recommendations and guidance on reform priorities.
Enlargement is a historic opportunity for the acceding countries, the existing Member States and the EU as a whole. A larger and stronger Union brings significant socio-economic, political and security benefits.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen she said: "In a tense geopolitical situation, it is more necessary than ever to complete the unification of our continent within the same values of democracy and the rule of law. In recent years, we have already made great progress in integrating the new Member States. And enlargement will continue to be one of the top priorities of the new Commission."
The enlargement process remains merit-based and depends on the objective progress of each partner. This requires a commitment to irreversible reforms in all areas of EU law, with particular emphasis on the fundamentals of the enlargement process. Democracy, the rule of law and fundamental values will remain the cornerstones of EU enlargement policy. EU membership remains a strategic choice.
The expansion process has gained momentum during 2023 and 2024. On 15 October 2024, the core cluster with Albania was opened. Accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova were launched at the first intergovernmental conferences in June 2024. Montenegro is on track to provisionally close further negotiating chapters after meeting the provisional criteria for the rule of law chapters. In March 2024, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. With both Albania and North Macedonia, the screening process was completed at the end of 2023.
In June 2024, the Intergovernmental Conference confirmed that Montenegro Overall, the country has met the interim criteria for Chapters 23 and 24 on the rule of law, which provides the possibility to proceed to the provisional closure of other chapters if the conditions are met. Further progress needs to be made in the area of the rule of law and the judiciary.
The Commission reiterates its assessment that Serbia Serbia is expected to accelerate work in the coming year on the implementation of EU accession-related reforms in all areas, with particular attention to the interim benchmarks in the area of the rule of law, as well as ensuring a truly enabling environment for civil society and the media, while making credible efforts to stop disinformation and manipulation of information from abroad.
As for AlbaniaThe Commission welcomes the launch of negotiations on the Core Cluster at the Second Intergovernmental Conference on 15 October 2024. It is essential that the authorities further step up the pace of EU-focused reforms, in particular in the area of the rule of law, consolidate their track record in law enforcement, effectively fight corruption and organised crime, and promote fundamental rights, including freedom of the media, property rights and minorities.
In the case of Northern Macedonia the country needs to continue implementing EU-related reforms, in particular in the core cluster, notably in the areas of the judiciary, the fight against corruption and organised crime. Confidence in the justice system needs to be strengthened. Screening sessions for all six clusters were completed in December 2023. acquis EU.
Bosnia and Herzegovina demonstrated tangible results, including in the areas of migration management, full compliance with the EU's common and foreign security policy, as well as the adoption of legislation on judicial integrity, anti-money laundering and conflict of interest. In March 2024, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Commission is preparing a framework for negotiations with a view to its adoption by the Council once all the relevant steps set out in the Commission's October 2022 Recommendation have been taken.
Kosovo The Commission remains ready to deliver an opinion on Kosovo's membership application as soon as the Council so requests. Progress has been made in the fight against organised crime and the business environment has improved. Visa liberalisation for Kosovo entered into force on 1 January 2024. Kosovo needs to step up its efforts to strengthen the rule of law and public administration and to protect freedom of expression.
Start of accession negotiations with Ukraine was an important recognition of Ukraine's determination to continue its reform path towards EU accession. Following the first intergovernmental conference in June 2024, an analytical examination of the acquis (screening) smoothly. If Ukraine meets all conditions, the Commission expects to start negotiations on clusters, starting with the basics, as soon as possible in 2025.
The opening of accession negotiations is an important recognition of the commitment Moldova continue reforms on the path to EU accession, despite constant Russian interference and the impact of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Following the first intergovernmental conference in June 2024, an analytical examination of the acquis (screening) smoothly. If Moldova meets all conditions, the Commission expects to start negotiations on clusters, starting with the basics, as soon as possible in 2025.
While in December 2023 the European Council granted Georgia candidate status, its EU accession process has meanwhile been de facto halted as a result of the Georgian government's actions since spring 2024. On 26 October 2024, Georgian citizens voted in parliamentary elections. Preliminary findings of the joint international election observation mission led by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) identified several shortcomings that occurred in a tense and highly polarised environment. The shortcomings cited include mj. recent legislative changes to the electoral process, frequent compromises on the secrecy of voting, procedural irregularities, intimidation and pressure on voters, which have negatively affected public confidence in the process. These preliminary findings confirm the need for comprehensive electoral reform, which has already been highlighted in previous key recommendations.
Turkey is a candidate country and a key partner of the European Union. However, accession negotiations with this country have remained deadlocked since 2018, in line with the Council decision. Serious concerns remain in the area of fundamental rights and the rule of law, including the independence of the judiciary. Dialogue on the rule of law and fundamental rights remains an integral part of EU-Turkey relations. Following the April 2024 European Council strategic guidelines, relations with Turkey have been characterised by a gradual resumption of cooperation and concrete steps have been taken towards a constructive exchange of views on issues of common interest.
It is now up to the Council to consider today's recommendations from the Commission and take a decision on the next steps in the enlargement process.
EU enlargement will bring far-reaching socio-economic benefits to its current and future members. Increasing the number of consumers in the Single Market will provide businesses with great opportunities to expand and trade more freely. In order to achieve sustainable growth in the medium term and progress towards economic criteria for EU membership, it is increasingly important for enlargement countries to accelerate structural reforms. This includes ensuring functioning market economies and demonstrating the ability to cope with competitive pressures and market forces in the EU. Economic policies should also support ambitious green and digital transition objectives.
Socio-economic growth in our partner countries support new tools and aids. As the accession process accelerates, the EU is bringing some of the benefits of the Single Market and providing increased financial assistance to enable our partners to gradual integration In addition to the successful economic and investment plans, the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans with a €6 billion Reform and Growth Facility and the €50 billion Ukraine Facility are encouraging reforms with justice and the rule of law at their core. Similarly, on 10 October 2024, the Commission presented a Growth Plan for Moldova with a €1.8 billion Reform and Investment Facility to support its socio-economic reforms and increase investment.
europa.eu/ gnews - RoZ
English 
Czech