Key diary dates
Tuesday 4 November:
- Euronews’ Enlargement Summit
- European Union Commission unveils 2025 expansion plan
- Meeting of Environment ministers Wednesday 5 November:The Finance Committee will discuss with Commissioner Piotr Serafin the EU’s upcoming long-term budget, the Interinstitutional Agreement, and the Own Resources Decision.
In spotlight
On Tuesday, the European Commission is set to unveil the2025 enlargement packagean annual report evaluating the advancements of countries seeking to join the European Union
This year, the package will feature a “pre-enlargement policy review” detailing the reforms that existing member states need to implement to integrate new members, according to sources who have been informed, as reported by Euronews.
The expansion into the Western Balkans is seen as a crucial foreign policy instrument and strategic focus for the EU, to the extent that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it “the reunification of Europe” in her recent statement.Annual Address to the Nation.
At present, nine nations are seeking to become members of the EU and have been granted candidate status, with each at different points in the accession procedure. Seven of these have initiated negotiations for entry, which marks the last phase on the route to joining: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Georgia’s application has remained frozen due to a contested election and subsequent public demonstrations for over a year.
The question now is whether the process can be completely revised after stalling under former European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker.
Albania and Serbia sought membership in the EU in 2009, Montenegro in 2008, and North Macedonia in 2004. Since then, minimal advancement has occurred, increasing frustration among Western Balkan applicants.
However, Russia’s conflict with Ukraine and significant global political changes have renewed efforts to finalize the expansion process.
Policy newsmakers
Georgia’s stalled talks
The day ahead will not be favorable for Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
Euronews is aware that the report card EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos will present regarding the country’s progress toward joining will be more than just – it will be a catastrophe. Brussels will criticize the Georgian government and warn that the nation currently has no realistic route to the EU unless there are significant changes in conditions.
Last year, Georgia conducted parliamentary elections, which were challenged by the opposition, and it has been criticized for implementing laws similar to those in Russia to suppress dissent, leading to widespread demonstrations that have continued for more than a year.
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