About: EU enlargement
Von der Leyen locks horns with Macron over EU enlargement
The new European Commission has yet to be approved, but its president-elect has already locked horns with French President Emmanuel Macron over the future of EU enlargement.
Russia calls for closing UN office in Bosnia
Russia called Tuesday (5 November) for closing the office of the UN High Representative in Bosnia, claiming the senior UN official there is biased.
Sassoli in Skopje: ‘Don’t lose hope’
Visiting European Parliament President David Sassoli urged North Macedonia on Monday (4 October) not to lose hope after the recent failure of the European Council to reach a decision for opening EU accession talks.
US envoy knocks EU’s ‘bad message’ to the Balkans
Washington's envoy to the Western Balkans on Monday (4 November) criticised the EU for delaying the start of membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania, saying it sent a "bad message" to a region where all countries hope to join the bloc.
Albania offers first comments on Macron’s enlargement damper
A conference in Tirana on Thursday (31 October) provided a rare insight into the state of mind of the country’s government, but also of other regional players, following the EU's recent failure to take a decision on opening accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia.
Russia sends S-400 missile defense systems to Serbia for military drill
Russia said on Thursday (24 October) a division of its S-400 missile defense system would take part in a military drill in Serbia, underlining Moscow’s wish to keep a traditional ally on side even as Belgrade pursues links with NATO and the European Union.
All eyes on France after inconclusive enlargement summit debate
After a long night of inconclusive discussions, EU heads of state are set to return to the EU enlargement issue today (18 October). All eyes are on France, as Emmanuel Macron's position has so far been the major stumbling block for opening accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania.
AS IT HAPPENED: Brexit, Budget, Balkans
European leaders gather for a summit in Brussels on 17-18 October to discuss if, how and when the United Kingdom will leave the bloc. With everything up in the air, an extension seems the safest bet. The EU's seven-year budget, enlargement to the Western Balkans and escalation in Syria will also be high on the agenda.
France halts EU enlargement
France blocked the opening of accession talks with North Macedonia on Tuesday (15 October), despite the promise made by the EU to Skopje that its historic name deal with Greece, the Prespa agreement, would earn it a ticket to EU membership negotiations.
Visegrad countries back opening of accession talks with North Macedonia, Albania
Four eastern European Union members on Thursday (12 September) backed the accession of Western Balkan countries to the bloc, saying North Macedonia and Albania should start talks this year.
Kosovo president sets 6 October as date for snap parliamentary vote
Since Kosovo’s government collapsed last week, Western countries expect a new cabinet to relaunch talks between Belgrade and Pristina and make sure these countries lift obstacles for joining the EU in the longer term.
Georgia suggests taking an unconventional path to EU accession
Georgia staked its claim to becoming an EU member on Thursday (11 July), even if it meant an innovative approach and "knocking on every door", its president told an international conference marking the tenth anniversary of the Eastern Partnership in the Georgian Black Sea city of Batumi.
Finland kicks off EU presidency with bid to tackle ‘unfin[n]ished business’
"A sustainable Europe - a sustainable future". This is Finland's motto to kickstart its presidency in the European Council for the next six months. The Finnish programme seeks to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest, expand the digital internal market and strengthen military cooperation. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU must revamp enlargement as a concept, report says
Since the Thessaloniki summit in 2003, where the EU expressed support for all the Western Balkan countries, only Croatia has become a full member of the bloc. A recent report suggests Brussels should revamp the handling of the whole process, with a directorate that would only deal with EU hopefuls.
Borissov warns North Macedonia against stealing Bulgarian history
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov warned EU hopeful North Macedonia on Thursday (20 June) against what he said was “anti-Bulgarian rhetoric” and appropriation of Bulgaria's history as its own, saying it "must stop".
Enlargement debate: Western Balkans, torn between hope and outrage
With enlargement being a “hot potato” for EU institutions, EURACTIV addressed the issue in a debate on Tuesday (5 June). Diplomats and journalists talked freely about the perceived reluctance of some member states, but also about existing real internal obstacles.
Police, protesters clash in Albania, US condemns the violence
Police in the Albanian capital Tirana on Sunday (2 June) fired tear gas and water canon at demonstrators demanding the resignation of socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama.
No new phase seen in EU-Turkey relations after EP elections
The latest European Commission progress reported has warned that Turkey is moving away from Europe. Little progress on the country's accession is expected under the new EU legislature in 2019-2024, but political analysts don't expect major negative changes either, as long as the refugee deal is in place.
Commission: Turkey has continued to move away from the EU
In its flagship annual report, the Commission warned Turkey that it has continued to move further away from the European Union, with serious backsliding in the areas of the rule of law and fundamental rights.
Commission recommends opening accession talks with Albania, North Macedonia
The European Commission recommended on Wednesday (29 May) opening accession talks with two Western Balkan countries, Albania and North Macedonia, saying they had “embraced the opportunity and delivered on reforms”. But this will need to be approved by the member states....
Albania’s riotous politics rattle EU dreams
Molotov cocktails in the streets and a mass resignation in parliament -- Albania's volatile political scene is exploding just as its European future is on the table, threatening Tirana's dreams of joining the bloc.
Albanian protesters hurl petrol bombs, seek snap polls
Albanian opposition protesters hurled petrol bombs at the entrance of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s office on Saturday (11 May), after three months of demonstrations calling for him to quit over alleged election fraud and corruption.
In North Macedonia, Pope urges Balkans to embrace diversity
Pope Francis urged the Balkans to embrace its patchwork of faiths and ethnicities during his visit to North Macedonia on Tuesday (7 May), where he delivered prayers and speeches that kept returning to the legacy of an illustrious Skopje native: Mother Teresa.