nuNov 4, 2026, 15:24

EU accession plan for Montenegro and Albania revealed: first expansion since 2013

The European Commission has unveiled a roadmap for Montenegro and Albania to join the EU, marking a potential return to expansion for the first time since 2013. Other candidate nations including Ukraine and Moldova are also making progress, though they still face significant reform requirements before accession can be finalized.

The European Commission has introduced a new roadmap for the potential accession of Montenegro and Albania to the European Union, highlighting the progress both nations have made in necessary democratic and economic reforms. This move marks the most significant step toward EU expansion since Croatia joined in 2013, a milestone that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen identifies as a key strategic priority for building a stronger union. While other candidates such as Ukraine and Moldova are also advancing, the Commission notes that they still face substantial requirements before a formal accession date can be considered.

Simultaneously, the process for other candidate nations like Serbia, Turkey, and Georgia remains largely stalled due to ongoing concerns regarding the rule of law and democratic institutions. However, recent political developments in Serbia following elections have provided a potential opening to restart stalled negotiations. For countries like Ukraine, officials emphasize that while Brussels is prepared to support their efforts, the pace of internal reforms in areas such as judiciary and public administration must be significantly accelerated to meet the stringent criteria for full EU membership.

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Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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