European Commission adopts 2024 Enlargement Package

Today, the European Commission adopted its annual Enlargement Package, providing a detailed assessment of the state of play and the progress made by ten candidate countries, including Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine, on their respective paths towards EU accession. The assessments are accompanied by recommendations and guidance on the reform priorities.

“Enlargement is a historic opportunity both for the acceding countries and for the current Member States and the EU as a whole. There are significant socio-economic, political and security advantages of a bigger and stronger Union,” the European Commission said in a press release.

Presenting the package, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Enlargement would remain a top priority of the new Commission: “The tense geopolitical context makes it more compelling than ever that we complete the reunification of our continent, under the same values of democracy and the rule of law. We have already taken great strides over the last years towards integrating new Member States”.

Ukraine

The opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine has been an important recognition of Ukraine’s determination to pursue reforms on the path of EU accession. Following the first intergovernmental conference in June 2024, the analytical examination of the acquis (the screening) is progressing smoothly. Subject to Ukraine meeting all the conditions, the Commission is looking forward to the opening of negotiations on clusters, starting with the fundamentals, as soon as possible in 2025.

Ukraine Report 2024

Ukraine 2024 Enlargement Package Factsheet

Republic of Moldova

The opening of accession negotiations has been an important recognition of Moldova’s determination to pursue reforms on the path of EU accession despite facing continuous Russian interference and the impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.  Following the first intergovernmental conference in June 2024, the analytical examination of the acquis (the screening) is progressing smoothly. Subject to Moldova meeting all the conditions, the Commission is looking forward to the opening of negotiations on clusters, starting with the fundamentals, as soon as possible in 2025.

Moldova Report 2024

Moldova 2024 Enlargement Package Factsheet

Georgia

While in December 2023 the European Council granted candidate status to Georgia, its EU accession process has been meanwhile de facto halted due to the course of action taken by the Georgian government since Spring 2024. On 26 October 2024, the citizens of Georgia voted in parliamentary elections. The preliminary findings of the joint International Election Observation Mission led by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) identified several shortcomings that occurred in a tense and highly polarised environment. The reported weaknesses include i.a. the recent legislative amendments to the election process, frequent compromises on vote secrecy, procedural inconsistencies, intimidation and pressure on voters that negatively impacted public trust in the process. These preliminary findings confirm the need for a comprehensive electoral reform that was already highlighted in past key recommendations.

Georgia Report 2024

Georgia 2024 Enlargement Package Factsheet

It is now for the Council to consider the Commission recommendations and take decisions on the steps ahead in the enlargement process.

Find out more

Press release

2024 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy