Key facts
- The EU has opened membership negotiation tracks for Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, and Montenegro.
- This is the bloc's largest enlargement move in over two decades.
- Ukraine and Moldova opened negotiations on core EU values and foreign policy chapters.
- Albania and Montenegro are moving to provisionally close certain negotiating tracks.
- Geopolitical shifts, including the war in Ukraine, have accelerated the EU's enlargement policy.
The European Union has taken a significant step in its enlargement process, opening membership negotiation tracks for four candidate countries: Albania, Montenegro, Moldova, and Ukraine. This marks the most substantial move toward expansion in over two decades, with intergovernmental conferences held in Brussels to ceremonially advance these nations' quests.
Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos described the day as a "Super Tuesday for EU enlargement," highlighting its rarity since the last major wave of expansion in 2004. While the process can take years, the current geopolitical climate, particularly the war in Ukraine, has accelerated the EU's policy. The bloc aims to counter the growing influence of Russia and China in the region and sees Ukraine's potential membership as a crucial security guarantee.
Ukraine's progress has been notably rapid, having applied for membership in 2022 shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion. Moldova has also faced significant Russian pressure. The prospect of EU membership is viewed as a strong incentive for pro-democratic reforms and economic benefits, especially for Balkan states, many of which are among the candidates.
Candidates must successfully negotiate 35 policy areas, or chapters. Ukraine and Moldova have opened negotiations on core chapters related to EU values and principles, as well as foreign relations, security, defense, trade, development, and humanitarian aid. Albania and Montenegro are also moving forward, with plans to provisionally close certain negotiating tracks.
A key factor enabling the recent acceleration is the change in Hungarian government, with the removal of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who had previously been a significant obstacle to Ukraine's accession due to his pro-Russian stance and use of unanimous consent rules to block progress.