The European Commission today approved its annual Expansion Package, evaluating candidate countries’ achievements over the past year and setting key reform priorities for the future.

Expansion remains one of the European Union’s most strategic policies to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity across the continent. Furthermore, this year’s report demonstrates that sustained reforms produce concrete results, with four candidate countries currently driving the process forward at an unprecedented pace.

How Are Candidate Countries Performing?

• Montenegro: Montenegro continues to lead the accession process, having already temporarily closed 21 negotiating chapters. Consequently, with approval from member states, Podgorica could close all remaining chapters by the end of this year as officials actively draft its accession treaty.
• Albania: Albania maintains steady progress after opening its final negotiating cluster and meeting key rule-of-law benchmarks. As a result, Tirana aims to achieve its ambitious goal of completing accession negotiations by 2027.
• Moldova & Ukraine: Despite severe challenges, both nations opened four negotiating clusters over the past year. Consequently, Moldova targets wrapping up negotiations in early 2028, while Ukraine aims to finish by the end of 2028.
• Serbia: In contrast, Serbia made no substantial progress due to negative trends in foundational areas and low alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy.
• North Macedonia: Although the country ranks high in economic growth reforms, political leaders must urgently adopt required constitutional amendments to move forward.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: Divisive political rhetoric has pushed the country further off track. Therefore, leaders must quickly form executive and legislative institutions following recent elections to resume essential reforms.
• Kosovo: Although a prolonged institutional crisis delayed reforms, the European Commission lifted administrative measures and resumed financial assistance following local governance transfers in northern Kosovo. However, Kosovo must intensify reforms and fulfill its obligations under the EU-facilitated Dialogue.
• Turkey & Georgia: Meanwhile, negotiations with Turkey remain frozen due to political regression. Similarly, Georgia’s accession process remains de facto suspended because the ruling party continues to undermine democratic principles.

Two Major Innovations in This Year’s Package

1. Targeted Roadmaps: The Commission introduced clear work plans with concrete timelines for the four leading nations (Montenegro, Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine) to structure future preparation phases transparently.
2. Gradual Integration: Furthermore, the EU will deepen cooperation with candidate countries in strategic sectors—such as energy, transport, digital technology, and defense—well before they achieve full membership.

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