Enlargement is a merit-based process where enlargement countries must align with EU values and legislation to become an EU Member State.
The European Commission has taken stock of the progress made over the past year by countries looking to join the EU and set out reform priorities for the way forward.
Concrete progress towards EU membership
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 have advanced their accession negotiations at an unprecedented pace.
The reports also show that the pace of reforms directly shapes the speed of each country’s accession process, particularly in
- the areas of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights
- political choices on security and defence
- progress towards economic convergence
Over the past year, North Macedonia made significant progress in implementing reforms. 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.
A common framework for gradual integration
As enlargement partners advance on their reform paths, the EU must be prepared to welcome them and ensure that a larger Union is also stronger, more resilient, and more effective. To this end, the Commission is also working on gradual integration in strategic sectors, such as energy, transport, digital, and defence.
Each EU enlargement has made our Union stronger. Enlargement is a key driver of peace, stability, and prosperity across the continent. Firmly built on the principle of merit, a credible enlargement policy is increasingly an investment in Europe’s collective security.
For more information
This article was originally published on https://commission.europa.eu/news-and-media/news/assessing-candidate-countries-progress-towards-eu-membership-2026-11-04_en. It is shared here under a Creative Commons license.
