The European Commission is drawing up proposals that would give the four leading EU candidates a clearer, step-by-step path to membership.

The plans target Montenegro, Ukraine, Moldova and Albania, according to two senior Commission officials who spoke to POLITICO. The officials work on the draft proposals and spoke anonymously about the sensitive plans.

The four countries have made significant progress towards EU membership. However, they still face slow negotiations and unclear timelines. The new roadmaps would set clearer expectations. They could also offer indicative deadlines for completing accession talks, provided the candidates carry out key reforms.

According to one official, the plans would also create commitments for current EU members. Member states must approve key steps before the process can move forward. The roadmaps would also set approximate dates for closing negotiating clusters, marking important milestones on the path to membership.

Meanwhile, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged targeted support for candidate countries that have made the most progress in her State of the Union speech in September.

However, the Commission will not offer similar roadmaps to candidates at an earlier stage. These include Kosovo, North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Georgia, Türkiye and Serbia will also remain outside the initiative.

A Commission spokesperson said the new roadmaps would provide a clear path towards completing accession talks. They would also set priorities, timelines and targets to help advanced candidates complete the necessary reforms.

The EU is also reviewing its approach to enlargement. European leaders increasingly see closer ties with neighbouring democracies as a strategic priority. At the same time, tensions with the United States, China and Russia have increased pressure on the bloc to move faster.

EU officials say lengthy accession processes can create frustration among candidates. They can also leave countries more exposed to outside pressure.

As a result, the Commission wants to offer candidates a stronger path towards “gradual integration”. This approach could give them earlier access to economic benefits and joint EU projects in return for progress.

The review, led by von der Leyen’s adviser Alexandre Adam, will go before senior officials on October 6. It aims to keep candidate countries on track while they continue their accession processes.

At the same time, von der Leyen and Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos are considering changes to the EU’s internal rules. The aim is to prepare the bloc for future enlargement and protect key policies.

Possible measures include emergency clauses and transition periods before new members receive certain rights in full.

The EU also wants stronger safeguards for the accession process. Current members must unanimously approve a candidate’s progress towards membership.

Finally, EU leaders will discuss enlargement and internal reforms at a two-day summit in Brussels starting October 15. The Commission will seek political support to speed up the process.

Kos told POLITICO earlier this month that she hopes the proposals will help bring about an “enlargement autumn” after years of slower progress.

Von der Leyen will also travel to the Western Balkans this week. She will hold talks with leaders in Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo. However, she will not visit Bosnia and Herzegovina or Serbia, which are currently in the middle of national elections.