About: accession negotiations

Harnessing the potential of French proposals for the benefit of Western Balkans

In recent days, the discourse on the Western Balkans’ EU accession has been dominated by discussion of the (in)famous French non-paper, finally explaining the thinking behind the changes in the enlargement methodology announced earlier by President Macron. Milena Lazarevic explains how the French proposal might work.

North Macedonia nears accession talks, Albania falling behind

Member states will on Tuesday (18 June) postpone a decision on opening accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania, most likely until September, as almost all capitals are prepared to green light Skopje while Tirana still remains a ‘no-go’ for a few, EU officials and diplomats told EURACTIV.

Montenegro PM: ‘We are looking for a new opportunity with the EU’

EU membership candidate Montenegro is carrying "a heavy legacy, plagued with low standards and weak institutions", but it has already made progress and its EU orientation is "clear and strong", its prime minister told EURACTIV Germany in an interview.

Progress for Western Balkan nations – a step forward for federalised Europe

Though the EU has lately been busy dealing with issues such as Brexit and the migration crisis, it has found time to talk of the integration of the Western Balkans. A steady integration of the region is good news indeed as this could lead to a federalised Europe and a complete Union, writes Bernard Kouchner.

Bosnian Serbs to hold divisive ‘national holiday’

Serbs in Bosnia are set to hold a deeply divisive holiday on Monday (9 January), a date tied to the fragile nation's brutal 1990s war and a sensitive issue for other ethnic groups.

How Erdogan’s purge hit the EU and NATO

The European Parliament will this week vote on whether to suspend Turkey’s EU membership bid. Andrew Duff explains how the Turkish military has reacted to Erdoğan’s power grabbing and how NATO fits into the equation.

Scrapping Turkey accession talks now will only make things worse

Suspending Turkey’s bid for EU membership would only help to erode democratic values further. Laura Batalla Adam urges the EU to continue with the accession process.

Low income Serbians set to benefit from free legal aid in 2018

Serbia has been struggling for six years to put in place a law on free legal aid, which is one of the requirements for progress in its EU accession negotiations. The law will be adopted by the end 2016, and implemented in 2018, the justice ministry told EURACTIV Serbia.

Turkey punishes Austrian archaeologists for sins of its politicians

The Turkish government has rescinded Austria's excavation licence for the ancient city of Ephesus. The seemingly politically-motivated decision has caused outrage in the archaeological community. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Romania’s judicial reforms: A case study for future member states

Nine years after joining the EU, Romania is continuing its fight against corruption, as well as tackling the challenge of recovering the proceeds of crime. Experts say that its judicial reform experience could serve as an example to future EU member states. EURACTIV Romania reports.

Erdogan suggests referendum to ask Turks if they still want to join EU

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has for the first time suggested Turkey could hold a referendum over whether to continue its long-stalled bid to join the European Union.

‘Good lawyers and bad judges’ in Serbia team up to free iconic defendants

‘Good lawyers and bad judges’ have freed the protagonists of a major cigarette trafficking affair, in a judicial case illustrating the myriad failings of Serbian law enforcement. EURACTIV Serbia reports.

Tensions grow over Serbian accession talks

Croatia’s refusal to agree to the opening of Chapter 23 in Serbia’s EU accession negotiations has heightened tensions between the two countries, which, over the past six months, have grown significantly cooler. EURACTIV Serbia reports.

Cyprus Ambassador: If Turkey is serious, it should recognise Cyprus

The EU-Turkey rapprochement is positive, but Ankara must realise it can't seek closer cooperation, and at the same time say “I don’t recognise the Republic of Cyprus,” the Ambassador of Cyprus to the EU, Kornelios Korneliou, told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.

Merkel accused of pandering to Erdogan

The European People's Party (EPP) has reiterated its opposition to EU membership for Turkey, despite the agreement that was reached on Sunday (29 November). EURACTIV Germany reports.

Erdogan’s AKP wins crucial election

Turkey's long-dominant Justice and Development Party (AKP) scored a stunning electoral comeback yesterday (1 November), regaining its parliamentary majority in a poll seen as crucial for the future of the troubled country.

Minor compromises to obtain Turkey’s cooperation are a price worth paying

There has been no general sacrifice of principle to get Turkey on board with the EU's refugee action plan, writes Sir Michael Leigh.

Berlin pressures Serbia to normalise relations with Kosovo

A leading German MEP has said that the upcoming meeting between Belgrade and Pristina on 23 June might be the key to open EU-Serbia accession negotiations. EURACTIV Serbia reports.

Steinmeier: No new conditions for Serbia accession

On Tuesday (28 April), German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier reassured Serbia that there would be no new conditions for the candidate country’s progress toward EU membership. EURACTIV Serbia reports.

Macedonia’s feeble flame of aspiration

Are European policy-makers crushing hopes of progress in Macedonia by putting enlargement on the back burner, Richard Howitt wonders. 

Scotland’s future as a strong and vibrant EU member state

Scottish citizens head to the polls on 18 September to vote on independence in a referendum. An independent Scotland will play a constructive role in addressing some of the central challenges facing the EU, writes Fiona Hyslop.

Kosovo’s spectre looms over EU-Serbia talks

Serbia officially started its accession talks with the EU yesterday (21 January), but the path to membership is lined with obstacles as the country faces new procedural rules and its relations with Kosovo remain an outstanding issue.