The European Union's enlargement policy is based on established criteria and fair and rigorous conditionality.

Progress along the European path is an objective and merit-based process which depends on the concrete results achieved by each individual country, with the rule of law, justice and fundamental rights being an utmost priority. A credible enlargement perspective requires sustained efforts and irreversible reforms. The EU Enlargement is an investment in peace, security and stability in Europe: a prospect of EU membership has a powerful transformative effect on the partners in the process, embedding positive democratic, political, economic and societal change.

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye and Ukraine are candidate countries. The European Council granted candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova in June 2022, to Bosnia and Herzegovina in December 2022 and to Georgia in December 2023. Kosovo applied for membership in December 2022 and is a potential candidate.

Negotiations are held with each candidate country to determine their ability to apply EU legislation (acquis) and examine their possible request for transition periods.

Enlargement

Infoclip: Ankara, capital of the Republic of Turkey

2026 Enlargement Package: extracts from the exchange of views with Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement

Economist’s 30th Annual Government Roundtable - Debate with the participation of Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS, Greek Prime Minister

Press Conference by Tonino PICULA (S&D, HR), rapporteur on the 2025 report on Serbia

2025 Commission report on Serbia: closing statement by Tonino PICULA, (S&D, HR), Rapporteur

EP Plenary Session - July 2026 - 2025 Commission report on Serbia

2025 Commission report on Serbia: one round of political group speakers and reply from Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement

2025 Commission report on Serbia: opening statements by Tonino PICULA, (S&D, HR), Rapporteur and Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement

2025 Commission report on Moldova: closing statements by Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement and by Sven MIKSER, (S&D, EE), Rapporteur

EP Plenary Session - July 2026 - 2025 Commission report on Moldova

2025 Commission report on Moldova: MEPs debate

2025 Commission report on Moldova: one round of political group speakers

AFET: Presentation of the 2026 assessment of progress by Commissioner Marta Kos

2025 Commission report on Moldova: opening statements by Sven MIKSER, (S&D, EE), Rapporteur and Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement

2025 Commission report on Ukraine: closing statement by Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur

2025 Commission report on Ukraine: MEPs debate (part 2)

2025 Commission report on Ukraine: MEPs debate (part 1)

2025 Commission report on Ukraine: opening statements by Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur and Marta KOS, European Commissioner for Enlargement

Press conference by Vladimír BILČÍK (EPP, SK) and Viola VON CRAMON-TAUBADEL (Greens/EFA, DE), Rapporteurs on 2021 reports on Serbia and Kosovo

EU enlargement policy in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Opening remarks by David McALLISTER (EPP,DE), Chair of the AFET Committee and by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

EU-Western Balkans leaders' meeting: arrival and doorstep by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Preparation of the European Council (23/24 June 2022) - Candidate status for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia: extracts from the debate

Formal sitting: Address by Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Chairperson of the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada)

Report on Turkey: MEPs debate

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