The European Union is preparing a new strategy to accelerate enlargement. Albania is among four countries included in a special roadmap towards membership. The European Union is expected to unveil the strategy in Brussels on October 6.

Montenegro, Ukraine and Moldova are also part of the group. The European Union plans concrete reforms, steps and indicative deadlines for each country. The plans aim to speed up accession negotiations after decades of delays. Two senior European Commission officials told Brussels-based political news outlet POLITICO that work on the roadmaps has already begun.

The draft strategy describes enlargement as a “geopolitical necessity.” It calls on candidate countries to complete a rigorous, merit-based process. It also demands deep and sustainable reforms. At the same time, the document calls for strategic use of the period before membership to prepare the Union for wider enlargement and deepen gradual integration in areas of common interest.

Meanwhile, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos told POLITICO that she hopes the proposed changes and talks with European leaders will create an “autumn of enlargement.” EU leaders will meet in Brussels on October 15 to discuss enlargement and internal reforms.

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