(nc) In 2023 and 2024, the EU enlargement process gained new momentum. The annual enlargement package of the European Commission (EC) presented in October 2024 provides a detailed assessment of the state of play and progress made by the nine candidate countries – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, Ukraine, Türkiye and the potential candidate country Kosovo – on their respective paths towards EU membership. The merit-based and often lengthy enlargement process requires determination to implement irreversible reforms in all areas of EU law.
Progress in 2023 and 2024
North Macedonia’s screening for the six clusters of the EU acquis was completed in December 2023. The EC states that the country must continue to deliver on the implementation of EU-related reforms, particularly in the judiciary and the fight against corruption and organised crime. Trust in the justice system needs to be strengthened.
The European Council granted candidate status to Georgia in December 2023, however, its accession process has been de facto halted. Regarding the parliamentary elections on 26 October 2024, the preliminary findings of the joint International Election Observation Mission identified several shortcomings that occurred in a tense and highly polarised environment (see the article on Georgia pp 26).
In March 2024, the Council opened accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The EC states that the country demonstrated tangible results, including on migration management, full alignment with the EU’s foreign security policy, as well as by passing legislation on integrity of the judiciary, anti-money laundering and conflict of interest.
Accession negotiations were also opened with Ukraine and Moldova at the first intergovernmental conference in June 2024.
This has been an important recognition of Ukraine’s determination to pursue reforms on the path of EU accession, states the Commission. The EC is looking forward to the opening of negotiations on clusters, starting with the fundamentals, as soon as possible in 2025. (See article p.21)
The opening of accession negotiations has also been an important recognition of Moldova’s efforts to pursue reforms despite facing continuous Russian interference and the impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Negotiations on clusters, starting with the fundamentals, are likely to be opened in 2025.
The conference also confirmed that overall, Montenegro met the interim benchmarks for the rule of law chapters (23, 24), allowing the provisional closing of further chapters if conditions are met. In the rule of law area and judiciary, further progress is needed.
The EC welcomes the opening of negotiations on the fundamentals cluster with Albania at the second intergovernmental conference held on 15 October 2024. The EC states that it
is essential for the Albanian authorities to further step up the pace of EU-oriented reforms, notably in the areas of the rule of law, the effective fight against corruption and organised crime, and the promotion of fundamental rights, including media freedom, property rights and minorities.
Serbia has fulfilled the benchmarks to open cluster three (competitiveness and inclusive growth). It is expected to speed up work on reforms in 2025, with a particular focus on the rule of law interim benchmarks as well as ensuring a truly enabling environment for civil society and media, making credible efforts to shut down disinformation and foreign information manipulation.
Türkiye has candidate status since 1999, but accession negotiations with the country remain at a standstill since 2018. The EC reports that serious concerns remain in the areas of fundamental rights and rule of law, including the independence of judiciary. A gradual re-engagement of relations took place following the April 2024 strategic guidance of the European Council, and steps were taken towards exchanges on issues of joint interest.
Kosovo submitted an application for EU membership in December 2022. The EC reports progress in the fight against organised crime, and the business environment improved. Visa liberalisation for Kosovo entered into force on 1 January 2024. Kosovo needs to intensify its efforts to strengthen the rule of law and public administration and to protect freedom of expression. ■
