The European Commission passed its annual “Enlargement Package” on Tuesday (November 4th), evaluating the accession progress of all potential candidate countries. Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas set clear goals for EU enlargement in their report.
EU officials stated that due to the geopolitical shifts brought about by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, EU enlargement has become a “very clear and necessary” strategic objective.
High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kallas stated, “Having new countries join the EU by 2030 is a realistic goal.” She emphasized that the EU will not take shortcuts in the enlargement process, which will remain “a fair, challenging, and performance-based process.”
Commissioner Kos stated in the European Parliament, “We must prepare for a bigger EU.”
Commissioner Kos specifically praised four countries for “translating their aspirations into concrete actions” and making significant progress on the path to accession:
Montenegro:
Montenegro is considered the “most prepared country” among all candidate countries. This Balkan country with a population of about 600,000 has made the fastest progress on the path to accession.
Albania:
The country has made “unprecedented progress.”
Moldova:
Despite facing pressures, Moldova is advancing at an “accelerated pace.”
Ukraine:
Ukraine has shown a “significant commitment to the accession process” and made progress in key reforms. However, Commissioner Kos warned that maintaining momentum in fundamental areas like anti-corruption and preventing regression is crucial.
Ukrainian President Zelensky welcomed the report and expressed on social media his anticipation for the EU to take decisive action to overcome all artificial barriers to achieving a strong, united Europe.
In contrast to the countries making positive progress, the report singled out countries with slow reform pace or regression:
Georgia:
Georgia faced strong criticism. Due to the country’s “continuing regression” in basic rights and democratic institutions, the European Commission considers Georgia a candidate country “in name only.” Unless significant changes occur, the country currently lacks a viable path to accession.
Serbia:
The report pointed out that Serbia has slowed down the necessary reform pace for accession, especially concerning the rule of law, media freedom, and its foreign policy alignment with Russia and China, which still raises concerns within the EU.
EU President von der Leyen noted that the EU has been gradually integrating these potential member countries into the single market through the “Ukraine Fund” and the “Growth Plans” for the Western Balkans and Moldova.