Thewesternbalkans.
On 4-th of November, the European Commission adopted its annual Enlargement Package, taking stock of progress made by the enlargement partners over the past year and setting out reform priorities for the way forward.
According to the documents, EU Enlargement continues to be a merit-based process where enlargement countries must align with EU values and legislation to become an EU Member State.
Main conclusions
This year’s reports show that sustained reform efforts translate into concrete progress towards EU membership, as demonstrated by Montenegro, Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine. These 4 countries are the most advanced in the accession negotiations.
According to the Commission, North Macedonia made significant progress in implementing reforms but yet to adopt the necessary constitutional amendments. Progress has remained uneven in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo. Türkiye remains a candidate country and a key partner for the EU. However, the underlying factors that led to the standstill in the accession negotiations in 2018 remain unaddressed. Georgia’s accession process remains halted.
Roadmaps towards EU accession for Montenegro, Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine
The Commission has presented roadmaps with concrete milestones and targets for the year ahead for the 4 most advanced countries. The Commission may adjust the roadmaps for the work to be done, based on the progress made and will update them regularly. It will put forward similar roadmaps for other candidate countries once they reach a similar level of advancement, pace, and engagement in the accession negotiations.
Earlier this year, the Commission also presented the financial package for Montenegro’s accession. Work on the Accession Treaty is also well underway.
Getting ready for membership through gradual integration
The Commission’s recent Communication “Preparing for a wider Union”, highlights the need to reinforce the gradual integration of accession partners as they advance towards EU membership. To this end, the Commission presented now a mapping of existing instruments providing a basis for identifying opportunities to deepen integration in strategic sectors, including energy, transport, digital and defence. Upon conditions, the reinforced gradual integration will further boost growth, competitiveness and security, while remaining an integral part of the accession process. The mapping aims to ensure greater coherence, predictability and reversibility, allowing for a more structured integration that brings clear benefits for enlargement partners and the EU. Over the next six months, the Commission will launch dialogues on gradual integration with the enlargement partners to take stock of existing measures and their financing and identify more tailored opportunities for each partner.
Next steps
It is now for the Council to consider the new recommendations of the Commission and take decisions on the steps ahead in the enlargement process.
According to the EU Commission, Enlargement is still a merit-based process, based on the objective progress of each enlargement country. The EU supports the strengthening of institutions, democratic governance and public administration reforms across these countries.
Gradual integration enables enlargement countries to prepare for membership through earlier participation in EU policies. Partners can benefit from broader access to EU programmes and agencies, connectivity, as well as participate in expert groups and committees, even before accession. Furthermore, initiatives like the €6 billion Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, the €1.9 billion Moldova Growth Plan, and the €50 billion Ukraine Facility, allow for wider single market integration and establish stronger connection with the EU, such as through gradual integration and the participation in SEPA and “Roam Like at Home”.
End of part 1
