(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 7 - How much progress are the candidate countries making towards joining the EU? In its annual Enlargement Package, the European Commission has presented a comprehensive assessment of the progress and current status of all candidate and potential candidate countries.
    On October 30, the European Commission adopted the 2024 enlargement reports that provide a detailed assessment of the progress made by the countries aspiring to join the European Union. The reports cover progress on the EU paths of Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Türkiye and Western Balkans countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia).
    The assessments are accompanied by recommendations and guidance on the reforms each candidate needs to prioritise in order to progress in the accession negotiations.
    At the end of October, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, travelled to the countries of the Western Balkans on a four-day trip and visited six countries seeking to join the EU - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.
    Von der Leyen pledged that EU enlargement would be high on the agenda in Brussels. "Rest assured that enlargement will remain a top priority in my next mandate," von der Leyen said in a joint press conference with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana.
    Discussions around EU enlargement in the region of around 16,6 million people stretch back 20 years, with Brussels blowing hot and cold during that period.
    While it is not currently possible to assess whether the incoming European Council President António Costa will prioritise enlargement to the Western Balkans, his last visit as Portugal's Prime Minister was to the Western Balkans.
    Costa also said that the EU should "start preparing now" for the enlargement process, so that it has "the conditions to receive the ones it is inviting".
    The enlargement portfolio in the next European Commission (2024-2029) is to be held by the Slovenian candidate, Marta Kos.
    In her answers to questions by MEPs before this week's hearing, she said that tackling blockages in EU enlargement would be one of her main tasks during her five-year term if appointed.
    Kos also pointed out that bilateral issues causing delays should be addressed swiftly. Among her short-term goals will be the progress on the candidates' EU-path, which more specifically means the EU closing accession talks with Montenegro, opening the remaining sets of chapters with Albania, and opening the first set of chapters with North Macedonia, Ukraine and Moldova.
    While paying particular attention to the rule of law chapters, Kos stressed that enlargement must remain a process based on the achievements of the candidate countries in order to make it credible and sustainable.
    Status quo on EU enlargement: GEORGIA | Membership status: candidate country Georgia received a predictably negative report card. According to the report, there have been worrying developments since March 2024 that do not reflect the government's declared commitment to the EU path. Among other things, it criticised shortcomings in the recent parliamentary elections, such as inconsistencies in the procedures as well as intimidation and pressure on voters.
    The former Soviet republic on Russia's southern border elected a new parliament on October 26. The election organisers declared Georgia's ruling pro-Russian party Georgian Dream the winner.
    The pro-European opposition and the president consider the result to be falsified.
    "Should there be a political will from Georgia's leadership, we are offering a clear path for re-engagement on the way to the European Union - the repeal of the law on foreign influence," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.
    The enlargement report also warned: "Unless Georgia reverts the current course of action which jeopardises its EU path (…) the Commission will not be in a position to consider recommending opening negotiations with Georgia." Georgia became a candidate country in December 2023.
    However, Brussels has put the rapprochement on hold due to several repressive laws that the ruling party has pushed through this year.
    MOLDOVA | Membership status: candidate country In the case of Moldova, the European Commission stressed that the adoption of EU legislation is progressing "smoothly" and that, subject to the country meeting all the conditions, the European Commission is looking forward to opening negotiations on chapters, starting with the core aspects, "as soon as possible in 2025".
    On October 20, Moldova voted by a wafer-thin majority to enshrine a pro-EU course into the constitution, after a referendum beset with accusations that Russia tried to manipulate the vote. With all the votes counted, 50.46 percent of voters approved the constitutional change.
    Also, Moldova's pro-European president, Maia Sandu, has won a second term as president. Moldovan citizens are sending a message: they want the country's future to be in the EU.
    Moldova became a candidate country in June 2022. Accession negotiations opened in June 2024.
    UKRAINE | Membership status: candidate country According to the European Commission, the negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the EU should become more concrete in the coming year - similar as in the case of Moldova. Despite Russia's war of aggression, the country has continued its strong commitment to reforms in many areas, according to the report.
    Provided that Ukraine fulfills all conditions, it is therefore hoped that negotiations on basic principles can begin "as soon as possible in 2025" as well. These include the topics of fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security as well as financial control.
    Ukraine became a candidate country in June 2022. Accession negotiations opened in June 2024.
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