About: EU enlargement
Eastern Partnership teleconference sets priorities for summit in spring
EU and Eastern Partnership (EaP) heads of state and governments as well as European institution leaders met on Thursday (18 June) to discuss the COVID-19 crisis as well as reaffirm the strategic partnership and discuss its future. However, the talks...
EU leaders urge Skopje to solve its historic dispute with Bulgaria
The draft declaration of Wednesday's (6 May) EU summit with the leaders of the Western Balkans, seen by EURACTIV, calls on North Macedonia to find a solution to bilateral disputes in the implementation of the Treaty on Good Neighborhood Relations with Bulgaria.
To Belgrade and beyond: Beijing exports China model of virus management
Last month, six Chinese medical professionals stepped off an Air Serbia jet in Belgrade to a red-carpet welcome from President Aleksandar Vučić and an array of cabinet ministers. After elbow-bump greetings, Vučić kissed Serbia’s flag, then China’s.
Serbia sets the stage for Beijing’s mask diplomacy
When six Chinese doctors landed in Belgrade two weeks ago, Serbia's president greeted them with elbow-bumps before laying a kiss on their country's flag, a gesture of gratitude that sent Chinese social media aflutter.
Balkan hopefuls get green light to start EU talks, conditions still weigh on Tirana
EU ministers on Tuesday (24 March) approved starting membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania, a move hailed as restoring "credibility" after months of damaging delays and bickering.
EU moves to start membership talks with North Macedonia, Albania
The European Council is set to give the green light this week for starting accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania, in a long-awaited move for the Western Balkans after the enlargement process was effectively put on hold last year.
Eastern Partnership’s champions expect more from the ‘geopolitical Commission’
As associated countries of Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova ask for a more ambitious Eastern Partnership (EaP) policy, the debate continues about the next steps and available financial support for what is lauded as one of the EU's most successful foreign policies.
Albania opposition rallies to stop ‘coup d’état’ over reforms
Thousands of opposition supporters denounced Albania's government at a protest rally on Monday (2 March) in a move likely to deepen a row between the country's president and the socialist administration over judicial reforms sought by the West.
New Kosovo PM ready to revoke tariffs for Serbian goods
A few years ago, the newly elected Kosovo prime minister overturned Serbian trucks. But Albin Kurti now says he is ready to revoke tariffs introduced by his predecessor on Serbian goods.
North Macedonia wins EU praise for pioneering coal-to-solar shift
The European Union energy watchdog praised North Macedonia on Wednesday (19 February) for a pioneering project among EU aspirants to transform an ageing coal mine into two solar power plants, in line with goals to cut pollution and tackle climate change.
Donors pledge an ‘overwhelming’ €1.15 billion for Albania quake recovery
International donors on Monday (17 February) pledged €1.15 billion to help Albania recover from a powerful earthquake last year, the EU chief announced, more than double the sum expected by Tirana.
EU in ‘frank’ talks with Western Balkan nations seeking membership
European Council president Charles Michel on Sunday (16 February) met with leaders of the six Western Balkan nations seeking to join the EU, for 'frank' talks ahead of a key summit in Zagreb in May.
Bulgaria warns Serbia over refusal to extradite banker
Bulgaria’s chief prosecutor Ivan Geshev has written letters to the European institutions to complain about Serbia’s refusal to extradite a banker held responsible for what is considered Bulgaria's theft of the century, hinting it might affect Serbia's EU membership bid.
Commission tries to breathe new life into EU enlargement
The new enlargement rules presented by the Commission on Wednesday (5 February) are supposed to inject credibility, predictability, dynamism and a political steer into the increasingly moribund process. "This is a geostrategic investment," promised Olivér Várhelyi, the Commissioner for enlargement.
EU set to modify member accession method to placate France
The EU is set to propose ways to modify the accession procedures for countries entering the bloc in a bid to placate France, but Brussels cautioned Tuesday (4 February) that any changes won't be major ones.
North Macedonia PM Zaev quits before April polls
North Macedonia's Prime Minister Zoran Zaev resigned Friday (3 January) ahead of a vote in April called after the EU blocked the start of membership talks with Skopje, the key policy goal of his cabinet.
Croatia priorities at EU helm: Brexit, enlargement
Brexit and EU enlargement will be priorities during Croatia's six-month presidency of the bloc, Foreign Minister Goran Grlić-Radman said Wednesday (1 January).
Give us hope, give us membership talks, North Macedonia tells EU
The EU must deliver soon on its promise to open membership talks with North Macedonia, the country's foreign minister has told AFP, warning that messages of hope were ringing hollow after three rejections.
Albania elects Western-trained prosecutor general as part of judicial reforms
Albania’s parliament elected Olsian Çela as prosecutor general on Thursday (5 December) as part of judicial reforms sought by the West that are intended to kick out corrupt judges. The European Union has told Albania the reforms must remain a...
Orban says Hungary to increase its EU influence with the enlargement portfolio
Hungarian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán hailed Friday (22 November) the confirmation of Budapest's nominee as a key EU commissioner as the country's "biggest diplomatic success" in a decade.
Tusk vows to fight populism, elected new EPP chief
Outgoing EU Council president Donald Tusk pledged Wednesday (20 November) to fight political populism as he was elected leader of Europe's main conservative parties during their group meeting in Croatia.
Amid NATO tensions, Estonian President highlights Russia risk
NATO should be ready to defend Estonia should the country face risks emanating from its neighbour Russia, Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid has told EURACTIV. Her comments came following French President Macron's recent claim that the alliance is 'brain dead.'
EU faces rift over enlargement policy after French ‘non’
European Union members wrangled over the rules for joining their club on Tuesday (19 November), after France triggered anger by seeking to postpone bids from Albania and North Macedonia. At the 17-18 October summit, EU heads of state and government...